Employees seek more flexibility while working post Covid: World Economic Forum

According to a recent global survey by Ipsos in partnership with World Economic Forum, employees who are currently working from home, would like to continue with the same once the pandemic is over and the restrictions are lifted. The survey said 23% of the employed adults on an average across 29 countries reported that they are now working from home more often than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employee working preferences post Covid-19

Globally on an average, 35% say that they would prefer to work from home completely or more often they used to. About one in 10 say they would prefer to work from home as much as they used to.

Countries with the largest proportions saying that they would prefer to work from home completely or more often than before the pandemic ranged between 43% and 48%. This includes South Africa, Singapore, Great Britain, the United States, India, and Australia.

Across the 29 countries surveyed globally, an average of 25% say that they would prefer working from home every single day. This was the preference of more than one-third living in South Africa, Mexico, Peru, India and United States.

Workers insist on Flexibility

On an average globally, two-thirds of all working adults surveyed say that employers should be more flexible in terms of requiring employees to go to an office when Covid-19 restrictions are no longer in effect. This accounted for 66%. While 65% say that they are more productive with a flexible work schedule. And, 64% say they want flexibility in the amount of time they go into office.

In general these views were prevalent among those with higher education, the more affluent, women, younger adults and parents of children under 18 years of age.