Employees expect ‘flexibility’

According to the 2021 Global Employee Research prepared by EY (Ernst & Young) by taking the opinions of more than 16 thousand employees from 16 countries; 54% of the employees see the lack of flexibility in the post-pandemic working order as the reason for quitting. The research, which covers the 21-65 age group and employees over the age of 65, who work at different levels, showing the importance of flexible working models for employees, is one of the most comprehensive studies conducted on a global basis in this field. More than half of the surveyed employees (54%) state that they will consider leaving their jobs if some flexibility is not provided for where and when they will work in the post-pandemic working model. 9 out of 10 employees want flexibility in where and when they work. Given the choice, 54% of employees prefer flexibility in when to work, while 40% want flexibility in where they will work. While 22% of employees who show that they want to work remotely for 2-3 days on average after the pandemic, express that they want to work full-time from the office when the pandemic restrictions are lifted in their countries, 33% want their weekly working hours to be shortened. 67% of employees believe that productivity can be measured accurately regardless of location.

According to the research; the occupations most likely to change jobs are management and leadership roles in technology and finance, and patient care. Those most likely to stay in their current jobs are the ‘Baby Boomers’ generation, born between 1946 and 1964, those who have worked in the same job for more than 10 years and those in the public and education sector. The research also reveals that preferences for quitting the job vary according to age groups. Millennials are twice as likely to quit their jobs than Baby Boomers. Evaluating the results of the research, EY Turkey Advisory Services Department Head Gökhan Gümüşlü said: “The willingness of employees to change jobs in the current economic environment is a game changing trend. The pandemic has shown that flexibility can be beneficial for both employees and employers. We observe that flexible working has become the most important factor in acquiring new talent and retaining existing talents. Employers who want to preserve talent now and in the new normal need to place flexible working arrangements at the center of their talent strategy.”