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NORTH AMERICA
AMERICAN OFFICE WORKERS ARE DEMANDING MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING CONDITIONS
have experienced a huge spike in job moves in recent months , and almost seven in every 10 US employees ( 66 %) say they feel more confident about their decision to move to a new job than they did in the previous year .
“ America is declaring it ’ s time to go back to the office ,” said Anthony Lamoureux , CEO of Velocity Smart Technology .
“ But our research shows this approach could be fatal for business . Employees don ’ t just expect flexible working , they are now actively making career changes to better suit their commitments outside of work . Whether that is flexible hours , locations or a mixture of both . Employees that are not offered the chance for flexible , remote or asynchronous working will walk – straight into another job .”
New research has revealed that almost half ( 49 %) of American office workers aged between 25 – 34 – commonly referred to as Generation Y – are ready to walk away from their job and look for new opportunities if flexibility is not provided by their employer .
It is surprising then that more than half of US businesses ( 61 %) are insisting that their employees return to the office , at least on a part-time basis .
This decision has not been well received – upsetting a quarter of Generation Y employees ( 25 %), making them 75 % more likely to look for another job if they don ’ t get the flexibility they want .
It ’ s not just the younger generation that want more flexible working . Independent research has shown that over a third of American office workers ( 39 %) are ready to quit if their employer doesn ’ t offer flexible working and one in five ( 21 %) are not happy that their employer is insisting they return to the office .
These figures should raise alarm bells for US businesses already scrambling to avoid the cost and disruption associated with staff turnover . Companies
Indeed , results show that US workers are happier with the ‘ new normal ’ and a more flexible way of working with over a third ( 36 %) insisting their mental health has improved since being allowed more flexible working .
These results are part of an independent research report called Changing behaviours of a flexible workforce in 2022 and beyond research – commissioned by Velocity Smart Technology .
The research investigated how US offices will change in 2022 and how business leaders can support more diverse and asynchronous working practices to keep pace with competition and retain employees .
“ Employees have rediscovered the joys of taking time to be outside during the working day , from walking the lock-down dog to managing side jobs , substantial numbers of individuals now recognise the nonsensical nature of the old nine to five ,” added Lamoureux .
“ It now needs to become an essential part of recruitment and retention strategies for businesses to firm up flexible employment models – or else , they may be left without an office to fill .” �
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