Research showed 48 percent of hybrid or remote workers would consider resigning if their bosses told them to return to the office full-time. Photo: Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash
Employees are willing to quit their jobs if they do not get to keep flexible working conditions, as the rising cost of living hits household budgets.
Inflation is running above 7 percent at a 30-year high.
Research by human resources and payroll firm Employment Hero showed 48 percent of hybrid or remote workers would consider resigning if their bosses told them to return to the office full-time.
It also found 82 percent said working remotely at least some of the time was better for reducing the cost of living.
The company's chief people officer, Alex Hattingh, said employees were looking to cut costs - and businesses had little choice but to help their workforce.
"[Employees] are saving money whether it's commute, also productivity time in that commute, fuel - we know the cost of fuel has absolutely sky rocketed and being able to work remotely just means you're able to do that."
Businesses had to listen to their staff, Hattingh said.
"Survey them, ask them what it is they're wanting so that you do keep your talented people - ask what does flexible work mean for them, how many times do they want to work remotely or hybrid?"
The "writing was on the wall" for employers who had a choice when it came to providing remote working arrangements, she said.
"There is evidence that remote work provides benefits that an office attendance mandate simply can't match.
"It is important to care about employees' financial health and overall well-being in the current economic climate, and one of the ways to do this is by giving trust and freedom," she said.
In a tight labour market, providing remote work was an easy and cost effective benefit for employees, Hattingh said.
But working from the office was still valuable, she said.
"A lack of social connection affects all ages, 18-24 year olds were 61 percent more likely to state their main reason for returning to the office was feeling isolated at home, while those aged 55 and over were 102 percent more likely to have missed the office camaraderie."