January 2024
No Telework, No Problem: Survey Suggests Shifting Views on Return to Office
In its most recent report to Congress, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shows a minor dip in teleworking rates.
As FEDweek recently pointed out, the OPM data are from 2022, “before the pandemic-induced ‘maximum telework’ status was lifted and before several Biden administration directives to have more employees working onsite and for more often.”
Still, the decrease is worth mentioning, given the resistance that many public sector agencies have encountered throughout the transition from strictly remote work arrangements to more in-office and hybrid models.
In pushing back against a return to in-person work, government employees cited factors such as productivity boosts and positive effects on customer service as reasons why they were reluctant to leave their home offices behind.
A new survey, however—while not focusing on the public sector—suggests that maybe employee sentiments toward returning to in-office work are shifting, if only slightly.
In a poll of more than 400 professionals, Denver-based staffing and recruitment firm TalenTrust attempted to gauge employees’ feelings on remote and in-office work.
According to TalenTrust, their survey found employees expressing “a distinct preference for remote or hybrid arrangements, but also a willingness to return to the office if required by an employer.”
For example:
- 50% of respondents said they prefer a fully remote work arrangement, with 33% saying they would rather work in a hybrid environment. Just 17% favor returning to on-site work on a full-time basis, according to TalenTrust.
- If given a mandate to return to the office fully, 41% would ask for more flexibility, while 34% said they would return without question. Less than one quarter (19%) indicated they would begin searching for a new position with more flexibility.
- Close to half (47%) of respondents said they have not been issued any return-to-office mandates and have been told none are forthcoming.
- Despite sharing their preference for remote or hybrid roles, more than half (55%) said they would not turn down a new position that was strictly onsite, if the opportunity was appealing otherwise.
The TalenTrust survey also ranked factors that respondents found most important when considering future career moves. While competitive competition ranked highest, flexible work location is still a priority for many, with flexibility earning a ranking of 6.3 out of 10 among employees taking part in the poll.
“While remote work has become incredibly popular, what we see is professionals who remain pragmatic. If office-based roles provide the best career growth and compensation, they will accept it,” said Kathleen Quinn Votaw, TalenTrust CEO, in a statement. “But the preference absolutely leans remote whenever possible.”
16 January 2024
Category
HR News Article