Many graduates are feeling pressured to return to the office despite preferring hybrid work models.
- A survey by Prospects at Jisc highlights the impacts of work environments on graduate productivity and well-being.
- 60% of graduates prefer hybrid working, yet 62% believe employers want them back full-time.
- Graduates associate remote or hybrid work with higher productivity (71%) and well-being (80%).
- Office presence facilitates engagement with colleagues, yet managers are often absent.
Research by Prospects has unveiled significant findings about graduates’ work preferences and employer expectations. Despite the modern inclination towards hybrid work, a majority of graduates sense a pressure to return to traditional office settings. This survey canvassed responses from nearly 3,000 graduates and revealed a stark contrast between graduates’ preferences and perceived employer expectations. While 60% of graduates favor hybrid work arrangements, a significant 62% feel compelled towards full-time office attendance by their employers.
The survey underscores that remote and hybrid work environments are more favorably perceived by graduates concerning both productivity and well-being. A remarkable 71% of respondents associate flexible work arrangements with higher productivity, while 80% link them with better overall well-being. Nevertheless, graduates acknowledge certain benefits of being physically present in the office, such as enhanced engagement with colleagues, improved managerial support, and a stronger sense of team cohesion.
Interestingly, the survey also highlighted disparities between the work location preferences of graduates in entry-level positions and their managers. A substantial 58% of entry-level graduates prefer in-person work, whereas their managers demonstrate a greater inclination towards hybrid (47%) or even fully remote work styles (18%). This dichotomy may be rationalized by the lack of dedicated workspaces for many graduates, who often resort to working from their bedrooms compared to their more senior counterparts who likely have access to home offices.
The presence of managers in the office appears to be a pivotal aspect for graduates looking to build essential workplace skills. Chris Rea of Prospects at Jisc remarks that the perceived pressure on graduates to return to the office may amplify stress,especially when flexibility correlates with improved well-being. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication from employers regarding work expectations, which could significantly aid graduates in navigating workplace dynamics and building crucial professional relationships.
Effective communication of work expectations is vital for aligning graduate preferences with organizational needs.
