Canadian HR Executives Use Hybrid Work to Attract and Retain Top Talent, IWG Survey Reveals

TORONTO – March 7, 2023 – A new study conducted by IWG, plc (LSE:IWG), the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces, reveals that HR leaders in Canada view the hybrid working model as an essential part of their toolbox when it comes to recruitment, hiring, and retention. According to the poll of more than 250 Canadian HR leaders, 91 per cent of HR leaders use hybrid working to recruit new talent, with 81 per cent saying it’s a “very to extremely effective” recruiting tool.

Before 2020, only 22 per cent of companies offered hybrid working to its employees. Following the pandemic, that number climbed to 72 per cent. The most popular hybrid work model in companies is setting a schedule of in-office days and work-from-home days, which is set by the employer and remains consistent each week. As a result of hybrid working, HR professionals have seen an improvement in employee satisfaction (67%), work-life balance (63%) and mental health (50%).

The findings reinforce how the growing adoption of a flexible work environment impacts HR professionals positively, and how one common theme shines through: hybrid work is a benefit to catching the eye of new employees and a key component to retaining talent.

“Over the past few years, HR professionals have come to view the hybrid work model as both a powerful tool for recruiting talent, and a necessary measure for keeping that talent happy and productive,” said Wayne Berger, CEO, IWG Americas. “The current study backs that up convincingly. Not only is today’s workforce demanding flexible work arrangements from employers, but a growing number of companies are recognizing the wide-reaching benefits of hybrid working — for their employees and for themselves.”

Other survey highlights include:

• HR professionals are increasingly focused on the well-being of their people and see a strong connection between hybrid working and improved well-being: 91% of HR executives believe they would reduce staff turnover if they offered more appealing wellness benefits and interestingly, a total of 77% have experienced applicants turning down a job because of a lack of wellness benefits. Companies that do implement wellness benefits say 92% of employees fully utilize them revealing they are very popular with staff.
• HR executives firmly believe in hybrid working and think it’s critical that employees spend some time in the office for face-to-face collaboration as part of the model. An overwhelming majority, 87% of HR leaders say there is a direct correlation between productivity, wellness and the number of days spent in a physical office. HR professionals believe that three is the ideal number of in-office days. Just one in 10 HR leaders (11%) believe employees should spend five full days in an office.
• Hybrid work leads to happier, healthier, and more loyal employees.  An overwhelming majority of HR leaders agree that hybrid working leads to a more productive (95%) and healthier (94%) (both mentally and physically) workforce. Almost all (99%) HR executives say a flexible environment leads to happier, more loyal employees.
• Employees are getting a sizable chunk of time back by cutting down their commutes as part of the hybrid model:  By equal measure, HR professionals believe the time saved by commuting only a few days a week is spent by workers on exercise and physical activity (56%), wellness activities such as meditation and self-care treatments (56%) and at-home responsibilities like laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping (56%). In the wake of the pandemic, many workers relocated to suburban and rural locations for a better work-life balance, and those centers across IWG’s network continue to see rapidly increasing demand as employees choose to work close to home.
• HRs cite health and fitness as important to workers: HR pros cite healthy snacks (51%), access to outdoor spaces (46%) and fitness amenities (44%) as the top workspace amenities on hybrid worker wish lists. With health and wellness being a key priority for many workers, it’s no surprise that, when asked to come into the office, workers want amenities that support a healthy lifestyle.

The study also revealed an increased commitment to offer employees access to a flexible workspace like a membership to a coworking space. Half of HR professionals said its organization offers access to a flexspace to its employees as a benefit post-2020.

To meet the demand, IWG is continuing the growth trajectory of its hybrid work solutions, doubling its network in Canada over the next three years. The majority of IWG’s new locations are planned in the heart of local communities – such as Cambridge, ON, Sherbrooke, QC, Richmond, BC and Truro, NS – to provide a workplace close to home, giving employees a better work-life balance and time back to spend with their friends and families.

About the Survey

Mortar Research carried out a survey targeting full-time employed HR leaders (Manager and above) in Canada of companies that offer hybrid working. Respondents were asked about their company’s hybrid working rules and arrangements as well as other employee benefits. This survey was taken by a total of 254 respondents on both mobile and desktop devices. The study ran between February 14-19, 2023.

About IWG PLC 

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of IWG’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.

IWG’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.

Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the IWG app. For more information

Visit www.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with IWG, see:  https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location