New data from Virgin Media O2 indicates that 40% of companies are returning to five days a week in the office and turning their back on hybrid working.
CEO and Founder of digital marketing agency, 71a, Edward Newman, urges business leaders to continue to embrace flexible working: “It’s disappointing to see so many companies forcing their employees back into the office five days a week and turning their backs on flexible hybrid working. People have come through the pandemic and seen that a less rigid way of working that offers better work/life balance is possible, and it seems counter-productive to now take that away.
“To attract and retain top talent it’s essential you offer some form of flexibility, and it’s something most jobseekers now expect. The term ‘remote jobs’ is Googled over 18,000 times per month in the UK – an increase of 410% over the last five years. Technological advancements over the past decade have also significantly bolstered the case for a hybrid working model, particularly for traditional office-based roles.
“There can be benefits to having a team working together in person, but there is no reason for this to be enforced in a five days a week, 9 to 5 structure, which places unnecessary restrictions on people’s lives. I would urge businesses to break free from rigid structures and continue to embrace the flexibility hybrid working offers.”