The flexibility to work from home remains extremely valuable to Australian employees and organisations need to better justify demands for in-office attendance, to maintain employee satisfaction and retention, according to a new report.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Western Sydney University examined the challenges employers and staff members continue to face navigating the geographical work revolution, spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research team interviewed more than 60 employees and industry executives from a variety of sectors for three-year research project.
They found that post -COVID, employees overwhelmingly expected to be offered working from home flexibility, as it allowed them to perform their job more effectively due to reduced distractions and provided better work-life balance.
University of Melbourne Professor David Bissell, who led the research, said: "By embracing diverse working environments such as home offices, libraries or cafés, companies can significantly boost employee productivity and improve staff wellbeing.
"We found employees who have the freedom to work in spaces that cater to their unique individual needs are more innovative in their day-to-day job."
The report findings also indicated employers mandating full in-office attendance is a 'one-size-fits-all' approach that is destined to fail, as not everyone thrives in the same working environment.
University of Melbourne Dr Elizabeth Straughan, who co-authored the research,said: "Our research shows tailoring work arrangements to accommodate for remote work can lead to a more supportive and inclusive work culture and enhance overall staff satisfaction and performance."
The report findings also indicated organisations are not offering clear justifications for in-office work requirements, which is jeopardising employee job satisfaction.
"Many employees who we spoke to expressed their frustration commuting to the office only to engage in solitary work or online meetings, as these tasks can just as easily be done at home," Dr Straughan said.
"We believe organisations need to offer greater opportunities for in-office collaboration and team building to rationalise demands for physical presence."
The report also revealed how employee age affects work location preferences.
"We found junior employees are more inclined to come into the office compared to their senior colleagues, and this division is leading to workload imbalances as they're consequently having to take on greater responsibilities such as training and mentoring just because they're physically in the office,"Professor Bissell said.
"The purpose of this project was to gain a deeper understanding of the diverse impacts of the geographical work revolution, and through our research we've been able to offer insights that can help shape future strategies and policies that support organisational success without compromising employee wellbeing."
The project was supported by the University of Melbourne Work Futures Hallmark Research Initiative and an Australian Research Council Discovery Project Grant.
