Employees are reluctant to return to the office, and superficial workplace “perks” are no incentive.
So says Hub Australia’s latest ‘Love Where You Work’ report, which examined the workplace priorities and concerns of 775 Australian employees.
What employees really want
According to the report, employees would return to the office for social benefits.
50 per cent or surveyed employees said they prefer to work from the office more this year. They cited the lack of social interaction and culture as the top reasons they preferred a communal space to working remotely.
In terms of workplace events, 87 per cent of respondents said that social activities are important to them. Second most popular were wellbeing sessions, which 43 per cent of respondents said was important.
Finally, in unsurprising news, employees want work arrangements that are flexible. In fact, 57 per cent of respondents considered this at the very top of their priority list when looking for a new job.
“These environments actually play a critical role in supporting career development, social enrichment, provide values alignment and it’s clear that the businesses which invest in creating spaces that foster this culture are seeing the investment pay dividends,” said Brad Krauskopf, CEO of Hub Australia.
What employees don’t want
The report found a culture of insincerity when it comes to workplace perks. While some employers are making false promises to prospective employees, others are prioritising superficial work perks that don’t address employees’ actual needs.
“’Workplace window dressing’ is becoming a real issue among employers and will continue to impact employee engagement and office attendance unless it’s called out,” Krauskopf explained.
“Too many companies are quick to put a band-aid on deep-rooted issues with flashy perks and wellness programs that look good on the surface but fail to address the real needs of their employees.”
