As calls grow to reduce work from home practices and have all staff working back in the office, survey data has shown almost half of Australian employees would be more likely to turn down a job offer if the employer refused to let them work from home,
Of the 980 Aussies who participated in the Budget Direct Contents Insurance Work from Home Survey, 45 per cent said that a ‘no work from home policy’ would be a determining factor in their acceptance of a role.
Sixty-one per cent of respondents said that they preferred a hybrid work approach as it assisted them to improve their work/life balance.
"Working from home became the norm as Australia adjusted to life after COVID – with many businesses committing to the option to keep up with a growing demand,” a Budget Direct spokesperson said.
The current attitude towards flexible working reflects the post COVID trend in the Australian workplace which may now be difficult to reverse.
What will also be difficult for workers is getting used to the commute time again. This was reflected by the 40 per cent surveyed who said this was the main downside of working in an office.
Most workers surveyed said they wanted to work at least part of their week at home, but the ability to do so was often linked to the specific role and requirements.
The perceived downside of working from home, and perhaps the key to getting staff to return to the office, is the lack of social interaction which almost a third of respondents said was a deterrent to working from home.
Post COVID-19, social isolation and loneliness have been major concerns worldwide. Loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact Australians' mental and physical health.1
For participants aged 28-37, the lack of social interaction was a consideration, more so than other age group.
Of participants in this age group, 30 per cent said they mainly worked in person for social interaction purposes.
1 Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2022, Understanding and defining loneliness and social isolation
Find out more
For more information, you can visit: Work From Home Survey and Statistics 2023
Disclaimer: Budget Direct Insurance is arranged by Auto & General Services, ABN 61 003 617 909, AFSL 241411. Registered Office: 13/9 Sherwood Road, Toowong 4066 on behalf of the insurer, Auto & General Insurance Company Limited ABN 42 111 586 353.
This is general information only, and does not take into account your particular objectives, financial situation and needs and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, having regard to these factors before acting on it. Read the Product Disclosure Statement, Target Market Determination, Financial Services Guide, Key Fact Sheets available at budgetdirect.com.au, and consider if the product is right for you before deciding to purchase or continue to hold the product.
While Budget Direct has endeavoured to ensure the information we’ve relied on is accurate and current, we do not guarantee it. Budget Direct accepts no liability for this information.
Media Contact
For any questions or additional details on the survey and its data, please contact [email protected].
