It's been almost four years since Covid changed the way we work. People begin to return after the Christmas-new year break, there's a strong push from office workers for a hybrid set-up, in other words, to be allowed to work at least partly from home.
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00:00 I think it's going to be a significant parting of the ways.
00:05 We know that this is one of the most searched for terms for over the last 18 months on SEEK,
00:10 the ability to work flexibly and remotely.
00:13 So the landscape has really changed since the pandemic and I don't think the genie is
00:17 going back into the bottle.
00:18 Okay.
00:19 Now, a recent survey of CEOs found that two thirds want staff to be back in the office
00:23 full time.
00:24 From a boss's point of view, why is it beneficial to have employees back rather than have them
00:29 working from home?
00:31 Look, most employees are back in the office at least some days of the week.
00:35 And we know that most employees don't actually want to work from home every single day.
00:39 So there are, of course, benefits for collaboration, for team cohesion, for networking, for learning.
00:45 And so that balance between work and between home is what most employees enjoy.
00:50 And I think the disconnect is coming because a lot of managers and CEOs haven't necessarily
00:55 worked or managed in any other way.
00:57 And so they're not really clear on how to do it and they have a perception of what is
01:01 the best way.
01:02 And workers feel strongly about this, don't they?
01:04 Some surveys are showing that many are willing to take a pay cut in order to be allowed to
01:08 work from home, at least part time.
01:10 Absolutely.
01:11 With the cost of living, there are huge savings from commuting, from childcare and just being
01:16 able to manage work and life.
01:18 So employees will definitely vote with their feet.
01:21 And we're seeing that already that they will leave if they don't have flexibility.
01:25 So do people work differently when they're at home?
01:29 I think one thing that's important to keep in mind is that someone who's underperforming
01:32 at home is probably also underperforming in the office as well.
01:36 And so it doesn't necessarily follow that people are just watching Netflix on the couch
01:41 at home.
01:42 So it comes down to good management.
01:44 It comes down to having the right employees.
01:46 And we've seen consistently in the research that productivity is the same or in fact higher
01:52 when people are working at home.
01:53 And you said Libby that managers have to manage differently if they're working with hybrid
01:58 or remote workers.
01:59 How?
02:00 A lot of the time in the past we've had management by FaceTime.
02:03 So just if you're in the office, people assume you're working, I can see you.
02:07 And we know that that isn't true either.
02:09 So managing virtually is a different skill set.
02:12 And a lot of managers and leaders haven't had training and support in understanding
02:16 what are the differences.
02:17 There isn't one size fits all.
02:19 Some people like a regular daily check in or several times a day.
02:22 Other employees can be more autonomous.
02:24 And so we need to give managers a better skill set to be able to adapt to the modern workplace.
02:30 Quick word.
02:31 Finally, Libby, do many CEOs work from home?
02:34 Do you know?
02:35 Yeah, there's a big gap between obviously often what a lot of their employees are doing
02:39 and what they're doing.
02:40 They've often got a lot more flexibility than their employees.
02:43 So yes, we do see a lot of CEOs working flexibly.
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