Research from flexible workplace operator IWG suggests hybrid working is going overseas as more than half (57 per cent) of workers planning to extend holidays this year to work abroad. A massive 88 per cent of workers say they are planning to work from anywhere – UK or away – this year, as hybrid working opens new opportunities for employees – and companies are responding accordingly. Major names from Airbnb to Spotify have introduced work-from-anywhere policies to give employees even more flexibility when they travel.
The new research of over 1,000 workers, undertaken by IWG, reveals that more than three in five (67 per cent) workers agree that they can perform their job effectively abroad and 71 per cent say they would only consider a new job that gave them the flexibility to work from anywhere, at least some of the time.
Improved work-life balance (76 per cent) was the most common benefit cited for working from anywhere. This was followed by being able to spend more time with friends and family abroad (52 per cent), saving money by travelling off-peak (47 per cent) and being able to enjoy longer holidays (30 per cent).
Almost 9 out of 10 (89 per cent) office workers polled say they are now more likely to work from anywhere than they were pre-pandemic, with 83 per cent saying the adoption of hybrid working by businesses has made it more feasible to do so.
Three-quarters (76 per cent) say they’d be more inclined to work for a company offering frequent ‘flexcations’ as a perk, and 71 per cent would only consider a new role which gave them the flexibility to work from anywhere at least some of the time.
IWG Founder and CEO Mark Dixon commented: “For an increasing number of workers, the days of the daily commute are over, now that hybrid working offers the opportunity to work wherever we will be the most productive. And thanks to cloud technology, that can be anywhere in the world, provided there’s a high-quality internet connection available.
“So, it’s no wonder that more and more individuals are embracing the idea of combining work with travel, whether it’s for a few days tacked on to the end of a vacation, or a few months as a digital nomad.
“This trend is set to accelerate further, and we will continue to see more and more companies embracing WFA policies to improve employees’ work-life balance and increase their attractiveness as an employer.”
