Survey reveals 86% of Irish companies are considering implementing a remote hybrid working strategy
17th May 2021
86% of Irish companies are implementing or considering implementing a remote hybrid working strategy for their workforce. 39% are actively looking in 2021 while a further 47% are considering it during the year or in 2022. A desire to reduce commute times and enhance work/life balance are the key motivators.
The survey, commissioned by Cavan Digital Hub and Local Enterprise Office Cavan, asked employers and employees for their views in relation to “hybrid remote working”, an approach to work that includes the office, home and co-working facility. 76% of employees would consider working from a co-working facility.
When asked about the main benefits to be gained from remote working, employers cited better work/life balance, employee retention and a wider recruitment pool first, second and third. Employees cited better work/life balance and reduced commutes as key benefits. 31% of employees ranked “the commute” as their first or second most important consideration when looking at opportunities. 18% reported they spend more than 60 minutes, pre-pandemic, commuting one-way to work.
When it comes to “working from home”, both employers and employees reported “social loneliness and isolation” and “the blurring of work and home/life boundaries” as key challenges. 83% of employers reported social loneliness as the biggest issue with 75% citing the blurring of work and home/life boundaries.
Close to 1 in 4 employees (24%) believe their working space at home could be improved. Employers also highlighted facilities with 97% citing broadband as key for an effective remote working strategy. 97% cited IT equipment (laptops, large screen monitors) and 72% cited a secure network essential followed by an ergonomic workplace and clean desk procedure at 53% and 41% respectively.
Salary remains the key factor in job selection according to both employers and employees. 73% of employers surveyed cited salary as the top factor compared to 63% of employees. Salary is followed by work/life balance and company culture.
73% of companies surveyed are prepared to fund the cost of introducing more flexible remote and hybrid working for their staff. This increased to 81% when focused on companies who are actively looking at remote hybrid working strategies.
Pictured
Marcella Rudden, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan
Survey Data
Cavan Digital Hub surveyed over 400 employers and 400 employees with a response rate of over 25% in both surveys. The surveys were completed in February and March 2021. Of the companies responding, 25% had less than 10 staff, 44% small to medium enterprises (10 – 249 staff) and 31% were larger corporates having more than 250 employees. Pre-pandemic, 36% of responders worked from home or had a mix of home and physical office working. In the IT/Tech Sector this was higher at 58% working full time from home or a mix of home and office. During the survey window, 97% of employees were working from home with just under half (43%) believing this to be a temporary arrangement. In the IT/Tech Sector only 26% cited their at-home working arrangement as temporary.
Press queries or interview:
Marcella Rudden, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan
Phone: 049 4377200 | Email: manager@cavandigitalhub.ie
“The survey findings highlight the increasing importance and adoption of more flexible working arrangements amongst both employers and employees” commented Marcella Rudden, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan. “It also supports the view that co-working, community and digital hubs, including our own Cavan Digital Hub, have a significant role to play in providing modern, safe and digitally-enabled ways of working to fruition, particularly within the Regions.”
Marcella Rudden
Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Cavan