Dive Brief:
- A new survey by ManpowerGroup Solutions found that 40% of job candidates cite schedule flexibility as one of three top career considerations. The firm polled 14,000 people in 19 countries.
- Among the locations surveyed, the U.S. has the highest percentage of job candidates who want work flexibility (45%). A majority (63%) of workers feel they can work outside the office, and the number of men who want flexibility has "significantly increased," according to ManpowerGroup.
- “Workplace flexibility doesn't just mean working remotely. It includes all types of working arrangements, from when to take breaks, working from home or caregiving leave," Kate Donovan, senior vice president of ManpowerGroup Solutions, said in a statement. “It’s clear that candidates across the globe seek a way to achieve ‘One Life,’ which means integrating work and home life."
Dive Insight:
The survey results aren't surprising. More workers want work-life balance for the personal rewards it provides. New technologies, including workplace communication platforms like Slack and HipChat, have made remote work far more possible today than in past decades.
Telecommuting has grown by 115% in the past 10 years, according to a survey by FlexJobs and consulting firm Global Workplace Analytic. A Quartz survey puts the growth at 159% since 2000. This trend continues even as some large firms — most notably, IBM — have called remote employees back to their desks.
Concerns about productivity and distraction mean employers need to keep remote workers engaged just as they would any other employee: by communicating effectively workers' goals and providing them with frequent feedback. It's also crucial to ensure that those located miles from HQ aren't overworked or feeling stressed out. Remote workers, after all, aren't immune to the dangers of burnout.
