61% of Canadians prefer a hybrid or remote work model. A ‘Work Anywhere’ Workplace is What Canadian Employees Actually Want Today

Authored by techbomb.ca and submitted by eric_bousquet
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TORONTO, July 21, 2021 /CNW/ – As organizations around the world make plans for their people to return to the workplace, the latest research report from Accenture finds that 61% of Canadians prefer a hybrid or remote work model.

A ‘Work Anywhere’ Workplace is What Canadian Employees Actually Want Today, According to New Report by Accenture (CNW Group/Accenture)

The research report encompassing 9,326 workers in 11 countries titled, “The Future of Work: Productive Anywhere,” found that while 37% of workers in Canada feel they can be productive and healthy primarily while working remotely, another 41% feel they can be productive and healthy anywhere, either fully remote or onsite or a combination of the two ─ as the hybrid workplace emerges.

Globally, 85% of people who say they can be productive and healthy anywhere also say they plan to stay with their company for a long time. However, finding a hybrid model that works for all generations may be a challenge: three in four Gen Zers (74%) want more opportunities to collaborate with colleagues face-to-face, a higher percentage than Gen Xers (66%) and Baby Boomers (68%).

Surprisingly, while the global research found 42% of people thriving, only 26% Canadians identified as thriving, showcasing less optimism and more fatigue in their workforces compared with their peers globally. About a quarter (28%) of Canadians feel their companies are meeting their emotional health needs (compared to 36% globally), and only 26% say their companies are meeting their physical health needs (compared to 34% globally).

“Canadians have adapted and have quickly become the ‘productive, anywhere’ worker,” said Janet Krstevski, managing director and Canada Talent & Organization/Human Potential practice lead at Accenture. “However, the state of Canadians’ mental health is concerning and as responsible leaders, we need to advance the future of work dialogue to be not just about location, but to also address what drives the productivity, health and resilience of Canadian workers.”

The report uncovered that what separates those Canadian workers who are productive anywhere (41%) from those who are disconnected and frustrated (11%), is not stress, but whether they have the right resources on an individual and organizational level to help them be productive anywhere. These resources range from job autonomy and positive mental health to supportive leadership and a digitally mature organization.

Further, organizations that enable a resilient workforce to be more productive and healthier anywhere are also reaping financial benefits: 56% of high revenue growth companies in Canada have already enabled productivity anywhere workforce models.

“People who have the option to work in a hybrid model are better able to manage mental health challenges, have stronger work relationships and plan to stay with their companies a long time,” added Krstevski. “As future of work discussions continue to be top of mind for businesses, understanding how leaders can maximize people’s potential regardless of their location is imperative.”

As responsible leaders consider the various options available to their workforces, they must move beyond a focus on physical location to shape a future of work that provides their people with the resources they need to be productive anywhere. Accenture recommends that organizations consider these specific actions:

chabaz on July 21st, 2021 at 22:39 UTC »

Anything is better than the crappy open office concept I had to endure the last decade or so. Literally a desk with a 1 foot wall.

spderweb on July 21st, 2021 at 21:27 UTC »

I've been working from home fully for five years, and 50/50 for ages before that. I love the lack of commute. I can take a break whenever I want to do something productive or fun at home with my stuff, instead of go walk around and buy snacks at the store. I am deadline based for what I do, so no check-ins needed. Means I can work at night and day. Spread my hours out. I get to spend time with my kid, instead of them going to daycare.

There's so many benefits to it.

Negatives would mostly be on the social side. But having a kid is mostly the factor in that. You just aren't socializing as much during work hours, is all.

Pedro95 on July 21st, 2021 at 18:31 UTC »

That seems lower than I expected. I wonder how many would like the option, rather than an enforced remote or hybrid.