Losing the option to work remotely doesn’t sit well with some office workers: survey

Menlo Park, CA — Thirty-four percent of office employees working remotely during of the COVID-19 pandemic say they might look for another job if directed to return to the office full-time, results of a recent survey show.

In mid-March, researchers commissioned by staffing firm Robert Half surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. adult workers who typically work in an office environment. They found that 49% of respondents prefer a hybrid work arrangement in which employers would allow them to split time between the office and another location.

Concerns remain, however, over the prospect of remaining fully remote, with 28% of the respondents saying relationships with co-workers could suffer, 26% worrying about decreased productivity while at home and 20% apprehensive about fewer career advancement opportunities related to a lack of visibility.

“After a year of drastic change, many business leaders are eager to restore a sense of normalcy and welcome staff back to the office,” Robert Half Senior Executive Director Paul McDonald said in a press release. “But reopening doors will bring new obstacles for companies to navigate. Not all employees will be ready – or willing – to return to the workplace, so staying flexible and responsive to their needs will be critical.”

The respondents identified multiple ways employers could show support during a transition back to onsite work, including:

• The ability to set preferred office hours
• Personal, distraction-free workspaces
• Employer-paid commuting costs
• A relaxed dress code
• Employer-provided child care