Study Reveals 42% of Workers Would Decline Jobs Lacking Hybrid Work Options

As remote work and the use of AI continue to grow, a new study indicates that the productivity of remote employees has been affected.

A report by The Stepstone Group (the parent company of IrishJobs) reveals that 42% of European job seekers would turn down an otherwise appealing job offer if it didn't include the option for remote or hybrid work. This preference is even more pronounced in Ireland, where the figure rises to 47%, compared to the global average of 29%. 

However, a separate study from the Office for National Statistics highlights that the increasing preference for remote work is creating new productivity challenges for companies.

Employees Seeking Greater Flexibility

A study surveying over 150,000 respondents from 188 countries explored job seekers' perceptions, expectations, and deal breakers in the labor market.

The study revealed that "job security" has become the top priority for employees worldwide, surpassing "good relationships," which has dropped to fourth place. "Good work-life balance" and "financial compensation" rank second and third, while "learning and career development" is also increasingly important.

Sam Dooley, Country Director of The Stepstone Group Ireland, emphasized the fierce competition among employers to attract and retain skilled talent. He noted, "With nearly half of Irish job seekers willing to reject offers lacking hybrid or fully remote options, employers must adapt their policies to meet these needs and adhere to new government guidelines on the right to request remote work."

Mental health support is another critical factor for job seekers, with 40% of global respondents unwilling to work for companies that don't offer mental health support or have a negative societal impact.

Sebastian Dettmers, CEO of The Stepstone Group, added, "In attracting global talent, a personalized, modern recruitment process is as crucial as providing a value-based workplace that supports employees' well-being. These are no longer just 'nice-to-haves.'"

AI Up, Productivity Down

The study found that 39% of respondents now regularly use AI tools, indicating that the application of chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini extends beyond remote or entry-level AI jobs. Additionally, 57% of global respondents expressed a willingness to retrain for new roles, acknowledging the ongoing disruptive impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

This study was released shortly before the UK's Office of National Statistics (ONS) published its own report on labor market productivity (Regional and Subregional Labour Productivity, UK: 2022). The ONS report presented mixed results: while some regions showed productivity gains, London experienced a 2.7% decline between 2019 and 2022. This decline coincides with the fact that 60% of London workers operate either on a hybrid model or entirely from home.

An ONS questionnaire earlier this year revealed that only 29% of London businesses plan to increase remote working, down from 44% in 2022. This shift suggests that some London businesses may have observed a negative correlation between remote working and productivity levels.