The coming clash between management and staff on remote working

Chris Pash
By Chris Pash | 31 January 2022
 
Credit: Adi Goldstein via Unsplash

The latest industry survey shows a wide disconnect between mangement and staff on how long everyone should be in the office each week. 

Senior management think differently to their staff when it comes to remote working, according to the 2022 Australian Talent Insights report by recruiter Aquent.

The bottom line is remote work isn’t remotely negotiable for those at the coalface -- 98% of talent wants to work at home at least some of the time.

Aquent in November 2021 surveyed 1,635 Australian digital marketing, creative, and development talent. Most (94%) are based in New South Wales or Victoria.

“Most talent want to work remotely at least some of the time, with the majority favouring a hybrid solution — a combination of on-site and off-site working,” says Alex Kenning, Managing Director of Aquent Australia. A quarter would prefer to work fully remote.

Two days a week in the office is a popular choice with 51% of talent preferring that model of hybrid work.

However, Aquent analysed the results by seniority and found that senior managers think more time in the office is better.

Half of C-Suite respondents believe that being in the office three or four days a week is the ideal model for hybrid working.

But 70% of those in non-managerial positions see one to two days as about right.

“This disconnect illustrates that when organisations develop a remote working plan, they must consider and consult with all employees, of all levels,” says Kenning.

“For women, the number one priority for their next role is flexible working arrangements, followed by good leadership.

“Men were quite evenly split across flexibility, interesting work, leadership, and career progression opportunities.”

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