Key findings:
- More than half of hybrid workers in the U. K. would not stay at their current job if their employer required them to go back into the office full-time; 41% would start looking for a new job and 11% would quit right away.
- 44% of workers in the U.K. say their employers are offering hybrid work as an option, and of those workers who have that option, 67% are working on a hybrid basis.
- Among those workers that do not have hybrid work as a benefit currently, one quarter (29%) want to see it offered in the future.
- A four day work week and unlimited holiday are the top two benefits employed U.K. adults want that they don’t already have (42% and 41% respectively).
- A large share of adults employed in the U.K. are currently working on a hybrid basis (32%).
Tapping into employee attitudes on hybrid work in the U.K.; and hesitancy returning to the office full-time
During the COVID-19 pandemic employers had to change the way their organisations operate by allowing workers to work remotely. As offices are reopening, hybrid and flexible working options look like they are going to remain important according to this SurveyMonkey study. A large share of adults employed in the U.K. are currently working on a hybrid basis (36%); among full-time workers half are working hybrid compared to only 20% of part-time workers.
- 44% of U.K. workers say their employers are offering hybrid work as an option, and of those workers who have that option, 67% are working on a hybrid basis.
- More than half of hybrid workers would not plan to stay at their current job if their employer required them to go back into the office full-time; 11% would quit right away and 41% would go back to the office but start looking for a new job that did offer hybrid work as an option.
- 60% of hybrid workers would be hesitant to return back to the office full-time if their employer required them to; 40% of workers overall are hesitant about returning to the office full-time.
- Among those who are hesitant about returning to the office full-time, the top three actions an employer could take to ease their fears are: mandated vaccination for all employees (35%), larger office spaces (32%) and requiring negative COVID-19 tests on arrival (30%).
- Among those that do not have hybrid work as a benefit currently, one quarter (29%) want to see it offered in the future
- The delta COVID-19 variant has made 32% of U.K. workers change their stance on returning to the office.
- When asked about proximity bias, 21% of workers have worries about missing out on opportunities if they are working remotely, 25% say that they ask the opinion of those they physically work with more than remote colleagues, 16% agree with both, and 38% don’t agree with either.
The impact of COVID-19 on office benefits and perks
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted work benefits that are offered, and which ones U.K. employees want. According to the results from this survey, a four day work week and unlimited holiday are the top two benefits employed U.K. adults want (42% and 41% respectively). For benefits that have become prolific during the pandemic such as hybrid working, flexible working, and mental health support, they have jumped in the rate that they are being offered since the pandemic has begun.
- Mental health support was a benefit already offered to 17% of employees pre-pandemic, and for 33% of employees it became a benefit during the pandemic, and still a quarter of workers want to see this benefit offered.
- Hybrid working is now a benefit for 26% of employees compared to only 8% who had this benefit pre-pandemic, while one quarter (25%) of employees would still like to see this benefit offered.
- Flexible working is the one of the top benefits employees either have now (34%) or would like to see offered (28%) it is also applies to almost all industry types; only 19% say it is not applicable to their place of employment, second to only to training and career development (16%)
- Having a bar in the office is by far the least desired or practical benefit with 65% of employees saying it is not something they want or that is offered, though 21% would like to be able to have a refreshment at work.
Employers asking feedback during the pandemic
- One half (50%) of U.K. workers say they have been asked for regular feedback from their employers during the pandemic.
- Among those who say they are asked for regular feedback during the pandemic, 68% say they receive a survey at least once a month.
- 25% say that their employers frequently send surveys, and feel that their opinions are taken into account.
- Among those working on a hybrid basis, 69% say they have been getting asked regular feedback by their employers, compared to 41% of non-hybrid workers
- One half (49%) of employees agree that their employers listen to their feedback more than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more about our polling methodology here.
Click through all the results in the interactive toplines below:
