This week we published our latest research “Resetting Normal: Defining the New Era of Work” that captures input from 8,000 office workers in eight countries and explores how attitudes have changed during this pandemic period.
Its findings highlight the gaps – between current performance versus future employee expectations – that businesses need to close in order to position themselves as an employer of choice in the future era of work.
While there are subtle but important variations in needs and attitudes between countries, there are strong common themes with technology that facilitates remote working considered a top priority. Workers are also keen to maintain a good work/life balance post-COVID-19 and digital skills are also seen as a priority across all countries. More than eight in 10 workers in Spain (83%) and the USA (85%) – the top scores in the overall poll – say digital skills are important.
Topline differences between countries include workers in Australia and the UK placing more importance of their employer providing leadership in times of pandemic, while their counterparts in France and Japan have less confidence in their company’s response. French and Japanese workers are also least likely to feel their work-life balance improved during the pandemic.
Overview of findings by country:
Australia – positive about work-life balance and optimistic for the future
Australian workers were satisfied with their work regime prior to COVID-19 and were most positive about working life during the pandemic, with employees feeling better equipped to work and communicate remotely. Post-pandemic, nearly half (49%) of the workers polled said they were optimistic about improvements in the future world of work – a full 19% above the average for all countries. The technology that facilitates this remote working will be increasingly crucial for Australians, with 87% agreeing its importance – the highest result across the survey.