Almost Half of Gen Y Workers Insist on Remote Flexibility

New research suggests that almost half (49%) of Generation Y American office workers, aged between 25-34, are ready to walk away from their job and look for new opportunities if flexibility is not provided by their employer. Conversely, the same research from Velocity Smart Technology shows that more than half of U.S. businesses (61%) are insisting that their employees return to the office, at least on a part time basis.

This decision has not been well received – upsetting a quarter of Generation Y employees, making them 75% more likely to look for another job if they don’t get the flexibility they want.

It’s not just the younger generation that want more flexible working. Independent research has shown that over a third of American office workers (39%) are ready to quit if their employer doesn’t offer flexible working and 1 in 5 (21%) are not happy that their employer is insisting they return to the office.

These figures should raise alarm bells for US businesses already scrambling to avoid the cost and disruption associated with staff turnover. Companies have experienced a huge spike in job moves in recent months, and almost 7 in every 10 US employees (66%) say they feel more confident about their decision to move to a new job than they did in the previous year.

“From big businesses to the President of the USA, America is declaring its time to go back to the office,” said Anthony Lamoureux, CEO of Velocity Smart Technology. But our research shows this approach could be fatal for business. Employees don’t just expect flexible working, they are now actively making career changes to better suit their commitments outside of work. Whether that is flexible hours, locations or a mixture of both. Employees that are not offered the chance for flexible, remote or asynchronous working will walk – straight into another job.”

Indeed, results show that US workers are happier with the ‘new normal’ and a more flexible way of working with over a third (36%) insisting their mental health has improved since being allowed more flexible working.

These results are part of an independent research report called ‘Changing behaviors of a flexible workforce in 2022 and beyond’ research, commissioned by Smart Locker Provider Velocity Smart Technology. The research investigated how US offices will change in 2022 and how business leaders can support more diverse and asynchronous working practices in order to keep pace with competition and retain employees.

“Employees have rediscovered the joys of taking time to be outside during the working day, from walking the lock-down dog to managing side jobs, substantial numbers of individuals now recognize the nonsensical nature of the old nine to five,” Lamoureux added. “It now needs to become an essential part of recruitment and retention strategies for businesses to firm up flexible employment models – or else, they may be left without an office to fill.”

Conducted in December 2021 Velocity Smart Technology commissioned the research to investigate the changes in working behavior and employee attitudes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, how performance and productivity can be improved, and how workplace IT support will change in 2022 and beyond.