The global survey of 2000 office workers found participants wanted to remain working from home for an average of 2.4 days each week after the pandemic – previously employees could work from home 1.2 days per week.
“[A total of] 72 per cent of employees want to continue working from home, two days a week on average,” the report explained.
“Remote work will also take place in alternative places such as coworking facilities.”
Not all participants called for the ability to alternate between different places of work post-pandemic, with employees above 50 years old wanting to remain in traditional workstyles such as commercial office buildings.
Those from the 18 – 34 age brackets were more open to working in a third-party or from home – this hybrid was found to be especially attractive to the tech and web industry, and employees working in the consumer products field.
The eagerness for hybrid working options has been driven by growing health and well-being concerns, including the fear of the virus.
JLL added participants with the highest expectations for new working routines – no large in-person meetings, digital interactions when possible and new office hygiene – were also the biggest proponents pushing for more flexible working arrangements.
“Aside from this new emphasis on health and well-being, the appetite for homeworking is fuelled by aspirations for a more balanced and local working life,” the report read.
“Workers who consider a good work-life balance and the reduction of the daily commute a priority, want to introduce work-from-home into their routine at least once a week.
“They also want to be able to define their own workstyle: a flexible schedule, a 4-day working week and even, for some, the freedom to live away from the city.”
Despite a push for more flexible arrangements, all workers acknowledged the befits office spaces have for socialisation.
Office workers are not keen to rush back into the physical work environment anytime soon.
However, JLL believe office environments can not be reduced to a social hub only.
“The workplace of the future will have to find the right balance between collective needs and individual comfort,” the report read.
“It will have to offer a biophilic design, together with spaces that respect the need for concentration and privacy. It will also have to provide spaces that support people’s growth, creativity and collective intelligence.
“Variety and choice will be at the heart of an office’s value-add, while a core need will be the accommodation of all working expectations and all workstyles. The best workplaces will be the ones created in close consultation with employees.”
