Five years on, people love COVID for creating work flexibility

There are a lot of things we certainly don't miss about COVID.

Namely, the sickness, mask wearing, vaccine passport showing, not being able to travel and no partying.

But, apparently, what we did love about the pandemic is how it revolutionized the way we work.

Namely, the flexible, hybrid work-from-home lifestyle.

The movement even achieved its own acronym: WFH.

On the five year anniversary of the infectious disease upending our lives, Toronto-based employment agency Robert Half surveyed professionals across Canada to find out how things have changed since the pandemic.

More than three quarters of workers -- 76% -- say they are more satisfied with their careers because they have the flexibility they want, compared to pre-COVID.

Seven in 10 workers feel they are as productive or even more productive in a remote work setting as they are in-office.

However, 54% also say they value in-office time and the ability to collaborate with colleagues in person than they did before COVID.

Before the pandemic, most workers would put making money as their first priority and were accustomed to the traditional in the office five days a week work style.

Now maintaining work-life balance is the No. 1 priority of workers.

Many are also willing to make less in favour of workplace flexibility and balance.

65% of professionals say when looking for a job, they now only consider positions that offer flexible work options, either fully remote or hybrid.

Such sentiment has bumped 'how much money I make and how important my title is' to second place.

In No. 3 is working for a company that aligns with my values.

And, fourth is contributing to a positive company culture.

But, it's still very much a mixed bag.

42% of workers feel companies are placing more worth on workplace culture and employee engagement as a result of remote and hybrid work.

Yet, 37% of professionals say culture and engagement has suffered because of remote and hybrid work.

22% feel they don't have as strong relationships with colleagues as they used to.

A separate poll done by recruitment agency Robert Walters explores how Canadian professionals hate the traditional commute to work, whether it be in a car they drive, car pool or public transit.

The scenario has coined the term 'hushed hybrid' -- a reference to 40% of bosses allowing staff to quietly work from home at least some of the time in an effort to bolster work-life balance.

As more and more workers return to the office, be it part-time or full-time, they are speaking out.

74% say any commute is a major factor when considering a new job.

56% won't commute any longer than 45 minutes to their workplace, be it one day a week or five days a week.

In fact, 35% of professionals are willing to stay in a lower-paying job to have flexibility and less commuting.

60% would like to see their employer subsidize commuting expenses.

Yet, 88% don't receive any support from their employer with commutes.

"Rather than firms engaging in traditional salary wars, this year we could see companies compete by ramping up travel subsidies, flexibility or allowing staff to commute during off-peak periods to help counter rising costs." said Robert Walters director Martin Fox.

"The pandemic gave rise to hybrid working as a (new) standard."

_{Thumbnail photos by Husna Miskandar and Bruce Mars on Unsplash}