Two in Five Remote Workers Concerned They’ll Be Asked To Return To The Office Full Time; Hybrid Working Now As Important As Financial Benefits

New research from IWG, the world’s largest flexible office and workspace provider, reveals 41% of remote workers in Canada are concerned their employer will ask them to return to the office full-time, and nearly half (45%) said they would consider changing jobs if asked to return to the office five days per week.

With job vacancies in Canada hitting an all-time high in March 2022 (StatsCan), the power in the employee-employer dynamic has begun shifting towards the employee — with increasing emphasis being placed on providing workplace flexibility and hybrid work solutions. IWG found 81% of office workers said hybrid working was an important factor when looking for a new job, placing it alongside financial benefits such as higher pension contributions (90%), bonuses/profit sharing (85%), and unlimited vacation/holiday allowances (76%). 

Half of Canadian office workers said they would rule out jobs that didn’t offer hybrid working, with remote workers identifying the important professional and personal benefits of hybrid working:

• 84% said hybrid work improved their work/life balance
• 80% said hybrid work has been good for their mental health
• 74% said being able to choose where they work helps their job performance
• 76% said hybrid work has allowed more time for hobbies or seeing friends

The Rise of Working Near Home 

IWG’s research highlights the desire for people to work closer to their local communities, with two in three employed Canadians (67%) stating their preference for a workspace within 15 minutes of their home.

Additional data from IWG shows how the popularity of hybrid working is driving demand for suburban and rural office space. Increasingly, workers are turning their backs on long daily commutes and instead choosing to work flexibly and conveniently in their local communities. Demand for rural and suburban IWG offices skyrocketed in 2021, with locations such as Dartmouth (163%), Hamilton (121%), and Waterloo (116%) soaring in popularity.

Wayne Berger, CEO of Americas, IWG, commented: 

“With a buoyant job market after a challenging couple of years, workers are demanding more of their employers and their roles. Gone are the days when salary was the only factor when considering a job offer, and nothing better demonstrates this than the rise of hybrid working.” 

“Daily commuting is expensive and unnecessary, and it’s clear to see that Canadian employees are taking back control of this time. Employers who don’t offer hybrid working are going to miss out on the best talent. Not only do employees benefit from dramatically improved work-life balance, but by switching to a hybrid model, businesses can expect to save an average of more than $13,000 per employee — all while minimizing their carbon footprint.” 

The number of employees visiting IWG’s network of approximately 130 Canadian locations steadily increased over the past few months, demonstrating increasing demand for hybrid work solutions. In 2021 alone, IWG added over two million new customers to its global network of flexible workspaces.