New Data: Even with more flexibility, employees still do most work at the office

Dear Friends, ?

Last week, we released new national research that signals a widening gap between employee and leadership perceptions about flexible work and performance.?The research is the latest in a series of national studies we've conducted since 2006 that have monitored the progress of issues related to work life flexibility from the employee point of view.

Our latest results are based upon a demographically representative sample size of U.S. full-time employed adults and provide a unique longitudinal pre- and post-pandemic lens into the employee experience.?

The first question we have asked since 2013 is, “Where do you do most of your work?” The recent answers may surprise you. Aside from the time when the pandemic forced many to work remotely, there’s been little change during the past 10 years in where employees say they do most of their work. A majority still do most of their work onsite at their employer’s location.?

Also consistent with pre-pandemic levels, nearly a third do most of their work from a remote location, which includes home, business center or another location. (We intentionally view remote work as broader than working from home! It’s client and customer sites, co-working spaces, and coffee shops.) And in a myth we first shattered in 2013 and a trend that continues today, men remain the majority of these remote-primary?workers.

What has changed in recent years is the increased degree?of flexibility, regardless of where you work. The pandemic accelerated the level of flexibility that was already well underway, and we’ll take a closer look at this in the coming weeks. So yes, given the prevalence of "hybrid" work models?(many with a three-day in-office requirement), employees may not be in the office five days a week. But our recent research confirms they still do most of their work at the office.

This could explain some of the ongoing pushback against "RTO" mandates. Even with greater flexibility, a majority can?argue, "but I am in the office most of the time." ?While not stated explicitly,?it then becomes?a?"return?to the office more" mandate. Without a clear rationale for more, resistance?shouldn't be a surprise.???

Next week, we’ll explore what’s happening when those employees are onsite. What are the implications of fewer days in office? Is the connection and collaboration many leaders have cited as reasons for return-to-office mandates happening? And why do we need to focus on more than what’s happening in person??

For full data analysis and commentary, including next steps,?download “The Now and Next of Work: A 2023 Flex+Strategy Group Research Report , "Unifying Leaders and Employees on the Future of High Performance Flexibility.”

Until next time, keep reimagining work and life,

Cali

Cali Williams Yost, Founder & CEO of the?Flex+Strategy Group , is one of the world's most trusted authorities on how work flexibility can unlock high performance, engagement, and well-being. For over 20 years, she has helped organizations from banks to hospitals to universities reimagine how, when, and where they operate. She is the author of?two books ?on the subject, and her media credits include the Today Show, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, Marketplace, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and Harvard Business Review.

Follow her on?LinkedIn and?Instagram .