Workers looking to return to offices as homeworking fatigue grows, says JLL

AUSTRALIA, 19 July 2021 – Employees want more balance in their working patterns, with the office re-emerging as the primary place of work post-pandemic, as home-working fatigue grows and productivity levels decline, according to JLL’s latest Worker Preferences Barometer.

A research survey of 1,500 respondents across Asia Pacific, including 300 in Australia, reveals that appetite for working in the office post-pandemic has grown to three days a week, compared to only two days in a similar survey JLL conducted last year. The data indicates that 61% of respondents wish to work in a hybrid model, having the flexibility to switch between the office, home and third-party location versus 68% in October 2020. 63% believe that they are more productive in the office than at home compared to 54% a year ago. 

“What we’re seeing here in Australia is that whilst office workers continue to value flexible working arrangements, the office still has a major role to play. Nearly one in two people miss the ability to work face-to-face and 40% state they miss their daily office routine,” says Ben Tindale, Managing Director, Accounts, JLL Work Dynamics.

He adds: “Whilst 68% of respondents rated work-life balance as their number one priority, employees are also reporting that working from home is taking its toll on their morale. This has clear implications for companies when managing their workplace strategies and their ability to engage those physically in the office as well as those working remotely.”

The Worker Preferences Survey reveals how employees’ attitudes towards remote work have changed over a 12-month period, the new expectations and workstyles that are becoming more popular, and the implications for workplace strategies and office design in the future.

When asked about the homeworking experience, Australian respondents reported:

Mr Tindale said, “These Australian results clearly show a high level of office satisfaction, even taking into account the desire for flexibility and work-life balance.

“The ideal working week for respondents had changed in the survey done in March this year compared to surveys conducted by JLL last year. Working in the office had grown to three days a week, compared to only two days last year.

“Interestingly, Australians were less likely than the rest of the world to want to work remotely full time (13% for Australia compared to 21% globally) and more than the global average wanted to work in the office full-time (30% in Australia compared to 26% globally)

“So it is really important that companies design their office space in a way that matches the new expectations of office workers and the hybrid workstyles that are becoming increasingly popular. This will ensure companies attract and retain the best talent for business success,” said Mr Tindale.

According to the survey, 92% of employees who are highly satisfied with their office environment strongly miss their offices. However, office satisfaction has also dropped significantly as employees now have renewed expectations of their office environment.

Kamya Miglani, Director, Work Dynamics Research, JLL Asia Pacific adds: “Apart from work-life balance and salary, the pandemic has driven people to focus on what matters most in their work lives – a desire for spaces that create a strong sense of community and culture.”

The survey reveals that employees are now looking at health and wellness programmes, sustainability, learning and development, and diversity and inclusion initiatives as some of the top factors that will attract them to join or stay with an employer.

“As we start to navigate out of the pandemic, companies have an opportunity to leverage their physical office spaces to become more human-centric in supporting the employees’ diverse, evolving needs and working styles,” concludes Ms Miglani.

For more information, download JLL’s Worker Preferences Barometer.