Topia Study: Remote Work Expectations Driving Resignations, Reshaping War for Talent
94% of employees agree that they should be able to work from anywhere, so long as they get their work done. Failure to provide that flexibility makes hiring and retention more difficult
Failure to allow flexible work arrangements is driving the Great Resignation
29% of respondents changed jobs in 2021, and 34% are planning to resign in 2022. Lack of flexibility is a major factor, and many employees are disappointed with their organization’s remote work policies.- 41% of employees say flexibility to work from home is or was a reason to change jobs. 35% also cited more flexibility to work remotely as a reason to find a new employer.
- 64% of those forced to return to the office full-time say this makes them more likely to look for a new job.
- Although 82% of employers have a remote work policy, 48% of employees feel that mobility policies are in place just to make remote work applications easier to reject.
When choosing an employer, flexibility is a top priority
Despite the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the US and UK, there is little interest in returning to the office full-time. Public health, originally the impetus for remote work, is no longer relevant. The freedom, technology, and autonomy to work from anywhere is central to the ideal employee experience.- Asked what they look for in a new employer, respondents rank flexible work arrangements as the third most important attribute—after high pay and a focus on employee wellbeing but above great culture, professional development opportunities, social impact, and autonomy.
- 96% of employees feel that flexibility in working arrangements is important when seeking a new job.
- 56% of respondents say the flexibility to work in whatever location they want defines an “exceptional employee experience.” This tied with having the right technology to work efficiently and came second to being empowered and trusted to do their job with little supervision.
For most organizations, flexible work remains an unsolved compliance challenge
In 2021, 60% of HR professionals were confident they knew where most of their employees were located. That number fell to 46% in 2022. HR still has a blind spot in determining where employees are working and for how long. The resulting tax and immigration compliance risks are significant.- 40% of HR professionals discovered employees working from outside their home state or country.
- 66% of employees admit to not reporting all the days they work outside their home state or country.
- Nevertheless, 90% of HR professionals are confident that employees will self-report such days.
Additional Resources:
- Download the 2022 Adapt study at https://www.topia.com/adapt-survey-report-2022
- Learn about Topia’s remote work solutions at topia.com/solutions/remote-work
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About TopiaTopia empowers companies to deploy, manage and engage employees anywhere in the world. The Topia platform enables organizations to deliver mobility as part of a broader talent strategy encompassing all types of employee movement – remote and distributed workforces, business travel, and more traditional relocations and assignments.
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