The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development released its latest research which finds that an estimated four million people have changed careers due to a lack of flexibility at work, and approximately two million have left a job in the last year for the same reason.
While the research shows an increase in requests for flexible working and that there’s clearly unmet demand for varying types of flexible working, three fifths of employers do offer some kind of hybrid work model.
Nonetheless, a different study has found that employees in central London are venturing into the office two days a week and indicates that there is a productivity and economic benefit of workers being in office spaces.
Sarah James, Senior Offering Director, Sustainable Buildings at Honeywell, comments on what employers should do going forward to encourage employees back into the office:
“Since the pandemic, workplaces have been continuously changing. From remote working to hybrid models or full-time office work, businesses have been constantly adapting their setups. As some employees venture back into the office a few times a week, now the pandemic has eased, it is time for employers to look at ways they can make their buildings healthy spaces for their staff and addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) is a step in the right direction.
“Whilst some workers are keen to return to the office, research shows that working from home remains a popular choice for many. Remote work gives employees the luxury of adjusting their environments to their liking, including the ability to control the air quality around them. As such, it is important for businesses to take steps to prioritise IAQ to improve their workers return to the office experience.
“According to Honeywell’s 2023 Building Occupant Survey, with 68 percent of respondents believing good IAQ is responsible for their productivity and with more than one in five workers willing to leave their jobs if employers didn’t maintain a healthy indoor environment, it seems the quality of office air is important. Improving the IAQ of a building can be achieved whilst also addressing a buildings impact on the environment – an important factor considering 67 percent of employees surveyed also considered monitoring their buildings carbon emissions very important.
“Considering employees awareness and concerns surrounding well-being and IAQ are increasing year on year, businesses now need to address these concerns if they want to create healthy- and sustainable offices that their employees are happy to take the time to travel to. With working from home providing an array of benefits, businesses must go the extra mile to ensure employee comfort is prioritised if they want their workforce to enjoy returning to the office.”
