A study conducted by communication agency MARCO in partnership with the pioneer in Research Technology Cint has found 44 per cent of workers prefer hybrid working while also expressing acceptance for in-office models. The survey was carried out from December 2023 to January 2024, engaging a representative sample of consumers across 11 countries (Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, UK, and USA), with Cint playing a pivotal role in both reaching research audiences and collecting comprehensive data.
The 3rd Global MARCO New Consumer Report 2024 delved into attitudes towards work flexibility, work-life balance and preferences for a variety of different work setups, making this year’s findings an exploration into evolving sentiments surrounding work culture.
The findings underscore a majority preference for hybrid working over other models (44 per cent), followed closely by traditional in-office working (40 per cent), with fully remote working considerably less favoured among consumers (16 per cent). British workers have demonstrated a preference for hybrid working, with 41 per cent opting for this arrangement, although full-time in-person work was closely behind at 40 per cent. This trend towards hybrid working is growing globally, highlighting a rising demand for flexibility and work-life balance in professional settings, with the US being the notable exception.
“Our approach to work culture needs to evolve at the same pace as the society to reach people’s demands accordingly,” said Carlos García, Head of stakeholder relations and Internal Comms at MARCO. “The rise of hybrid work models presents an opportunity for organisations to reevaluate traditional norms and embrace a more flexible and inclusive way of working while strengthening the internal comms strategies to keep employees engaged and fully motivated.”
Despite these preferences, when applying for new roles, a global perspective reveals an acceptance of a variety of different work models among workers, with a remarkable 64 per cent willing to work for a company that doesn’t offer the possibility of hybrid working, and only 36 per cent refusing. Brits are accepting, with 63 per cent willing to work for a company, even when hybrid working is not an option. On the other hand, France is the most exclusive of models other than hybrid work, with 50 per cent refusing to work at a company without the possibility of hybrid working. This tolerance for other models, coupled with the growing popularity of hybrid work models, displays overall positive sentiments towards a variety of different working arrangements.
In reference to the work-life balance increasingly desired by employees, a significant 70 per cent of global surveyed consumers stated that the current work culture or labour laws in their respective countries allow them to achieve a good work-life balance. However, 30 per cent expressed dissatisfaction, indicating potential areas for improvement in work culture and legislative frameworks. The countries with the most satisfied employees in regards to work-life balance included the UK and South Africa (both 77 per cent), France (76 per cent) and Mexico (73 per cent). In contrast, Portuguese respondents felt less supported by their labour laws, with only 56 per cent believing that the current work culture or labour laws allow them to achieve a good work-life balance.