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An emphatic disdain towards a five-day office requirement has been adopted by a vast majority of working parents, as it is simply not realistic for caregivers in this current climate.
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of working parents said they would look for a new job if they were required to travel to a central office five days a week.
New research by the International Workplace Group (IWG) found that 83 per cent said they were better parents as a result of the flexibility offered by hybrid working. Close to nine out 10 (89 per cent) said they are closer to their children and are more present (92 per cent), while 86 per cent said their family’s quality of life has improved.
The additional time being afforded to parents by way of hybrid/flexible working arrangements has directly translated to improved family happiness. Parents said hybrid working increased the quality time they spend with their children (84 per cent) and allowed them to be more involved in day-to-day parenting responsibilities (85 per cent).
Mark Dixon, CEO at IWG, said: “The ongoing and irreversible shift to hybrid working is having a transformative impact on the lives of millions of people globally.”
“This latest research highlights how parents working in the hybrid model are enjoying a significantly improved work/life balance. Instead of wasting hours commuting long distances daily, they are now working locally, enjoying more of those important family moments that they were previously missing out on.”
The research also discovered that more than half (57 per cent) of parents agreed that hybrid working is a major benefit in helping manage their childcare arrangements. Other benefits for parents included saving money (58 per cent), having more time to spend with family and friends (54 per cent), more socialising (29 per cent), picking up a new hobby (24 per cent), and better holidays (23 per cent).
Additionally, 39 per cent of Aussie working parents said that a lack of work/life balance was the most significant factor in leading them to consider potentially leaving the workforce or their current position.
The work/life balance that parents are after perfectly intertwines with hybrid working arrangements, and as we see the emotional and financial benefits that come as a result of this arrangement, it’s not surprising that a number of parents are unwilling to sacrifice it.
Fatima Koning, group chief commercial officer at IWG, said: “Our research shows that flexibility is now a decisive factor in how and where parents choose to work.”
“With parents currently making up 40 per cent of the workforce, organisations that overlook this shift to the hybrid model risk falling behind and will struggle to attract – and retain – the best talent, as the modern workforce continues to demand adaptability. Ultimately, employers who embrace this are investing in a happier, more engaged workforce.”
In this economic climate, any costs that can be cut for working families can be very important. In the case of hybrid working arrangements, the research showed that, on average, parents were saving nearly $10,500 a year on childcare. More than half (56 per cent) said they would struggle to pay for the childcare services required to cover a full five-day working week in a central office.
The evidence is almost overwhelming as to why parents would be willing to leave their jobs if their employer enforces a back-to-the-office mandate.
With talent shortages, retention, and attraction issues occurring throughout Australian industries, introducing such a mandate could be considered extremely foolish, as it’s clear that working parents will not be parting ways with an arrangement that has dramatically improved their livelihoods.
Kace O'Neill
Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.
