Employees across Asia Pacific office markets have shown a preference for a hybrid workplace with flexible arrangements going forward in a survey conducted through JLL.

Based on the views of 1,500 employees spread across Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore, Home and away: the new hybrid workplace? argues that employees consistently believed that while they enjoy the freedom of working from home, they miss the human interaction and face-to-face collaboration that working in a professional office environment provides.

Respondents were asked about the impact of extended periods of remote work, access to technology, and which changes in professional behaviour will become permanent.

JLL Asia Pacific Office Market survey - At a glance: 

• 61 per cent of respondents who had working remotely during the pandemic said they missed going to the office and would favour a hybrid model combining more flexible work arrangements in the future.
• Millennials said they missed the office more than other age groups at 66 per cent.
• Furthermore, 81 per cent of millennials strongly agreed that they felt technology ready, and 52 per cent said they were more productive working from home. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic across the Asia Pacific, an average of 68 per cent of employees surveyed regionally worked from home.

According to JLL, 61 per cent of the same respondents working remotely said they missed going to the office and would favour a hybrid model combining more flexible work arrangements in the future.

JLL Asia Pacific CEO Anthony Couse said while the office was here to stay, corporations would need to reimagine the workplace to cater for a greater acceptance of remote working across the Asia Pacific.

Source: JLL

“Employees across the Asia Pacific have successfully transitioned to remote working, but our interactions also suggest that many now crave the office environment's cultural and human experience," he said.

According to the research, millennials said they missed the office more than other age groups at 66 per cent and highlighted the office experience's benefits: human interactions, professional environment, and a place for focused work.

Furthermore, 81 per cent of millennials strongly agreed that they felt technology ready, and 52 per cent said they were more productive working from home.

Source: JLL

However, some could not afford accommodation with space and amenities vital for successful homeworking.

JLL Asia Pacific Chief Research Officer Roddy Allan said offices could potentially be reimagined as social hubs.

“Offices will continue to play a central role in defining company culture, creating a shared purpose, and meeting employee needs for personal and professional fulfilment," he said.

"However, COVID-19 will impact how the office looks and feels, as hybrid models comprising flexible work arrangements become mainstream."

Click here to download the report.

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