Have you thought about what your workplace will look like when the pandemic is behind us? Will you keep remote work permanently? Or, do you want all your employees back at your office location? Perhaps you’re somewhere in the middle, thinking about how remote work flexibility could benefit your team?

You’re not the only one. As more and more people get vaccinated, there’s looming hope that we’ll resume some sort of normal in the coming months or year. With that, employers are beginning to think about what the post-pandemic workplace might look like for their business and employees. 

If the last year has shown us anything, it’s that most people can effectively work from home and remain productive. We’ve also seen how employees appreciate employers that let them choose their working hours too. Parents having to juggle childcare demands and work deadlines, as well as creative night owls, have loved having more options. Even so, not all employers are convinced that remote work and flex hours could or should remain in effect after the pandemic subsides. 

Below, we’re exploring the latest stats on the topic and highlighting some important considerations that all employers should factor into their decision. 

Most employers and employees agree on flexibility in the post-pandemic world

According to a BenefitsCanada article, Mercer recently conducted a webinar where they shared some interesting opinions from US-based employees about remote work. One key takeaway is that most employees want to retain some level of flexibility, and luckily, most employers are on the same page. Here are more interesting findings: 

• 56% of employees surveyed said they’d consider switching employers if flexibility wasn’t an option for them post-pandemic
• 61% of U.S. employers Mercer surveyed said they plan to have their workforce back in the office by the end of the third quarter in 2021
• 87% said they’re planning to embrace greater flexibility in the post-pandemic world.
• 52% of employees surveyed said they prefer a hybrid model, in which they’d work remotely two to three days per week

Read the full article here: ‘Employers must weigh several factors while planning for post-pandemic future: webinar’. 

Flexibility is critical to employee retention, especially for working moms 

According to a recent ADP Canada and Leger survey, this pandemic has disproportionally impacted women’s careers, particularly those who are parents with young children. Keeping gender issues at the forefront of decisions about the future workplace is a must. Here are some other key findings:

• 45% of women respondents indicated that working during the pandemic negatively impacted their mental health, compared to 37% of men
• 50% of working mothers reported experiencing disproportionately high-stress levels due to balancing childcare obligations and work throughout the pandemic, compared to 40% of their male counterparts
• Women continue to earn 23% less in total income (pre-tax salary and other compensation) than men 
• 50% of respondents aged 18-34 said they would leave their organization if they found out that a colleague of equal standing but different gender received higher compensation

Get all the survey highlights here: ‘Workplace Gender Gap Hits Home: ADP Canada Survey’

Finding the right balance between at-office and work-from-home will be key

According to a PwC survey this year, most companies are looking at implementing a hybrid model where people can rotate between in and out of the office work situations. This will likely have a significant impact on company culture and employee engagement, and alter how office spaces are being used. Here are some noteworthy stats:  

• 83% of employers now say the shift to remote work has been successful for their company
• 87% of employees say the office is important for collaborating with team members and building relationships — their top-rated needs for the office
• 29% of executives believe that to keep a strong company culture, employees need to be in the office three days a week. 21% believe five days are necessary, and 15% believe only two days are needed. 
• Over half of employees (55%) would prefer to be remote at least three days a week once pandemic concerns recede 

Explore more from the survey here: It’s time to reimagine where and how work will get done

Will remote work be a permanent thing? 

For most businesses, the answer is yes. Whether it’s gradual flexibility or full-scale remote teams, businesses will need to stay open to flexible working options to keep employees happy. That said, how those perks are offered and what conditions come with them will be different for every employer. 

Here are a few recommendations to keep top of mind as you decide what your post-pandemic workplace will look like: 

• Survey your employees for their opinions and consider exactly what your business needs
• Figure out what in-office work is meant to accomplish and communicate that clearly
• Consider gender issues in your decisions about flexibility and additional perks or compensation
• Re-imagine what the office working environment might look like and how space will be used
• Assess how flexible work options could impact employee retention and your company culture
• Opt for a slow or phased back-to-the-office approach, if that’s something you’re thinking about

Want to discuss how to build remote work flexibility into your benefits offering? Our team is always available to chat. Simply send us an email to arrange a time.