Most firms to allow long-term remote work, survey finds

A new survey of Australian business leaders by Gartner has found that 82% plan to allow remote work — at least some of the time — as normal business operations recommence following COVID-19 lockdown.

Nearly half (47%) of the 127 respondents said they’d be happy to permit full-time remote work, with 43% preferring a ‘flex time’ model.

Just 13% voiced concerns over employee productivity, with 29% not taking any measures to track productivity remotely.

Maintaining corporate culture was, however, a concern, with 13% unsure of how to create a seamless employee experience while its staff are working from home.

Elisabeth Joyce, vice president of advisory in the Gartner HR practice, said a permanent shift to remote work could have numerous benefits, but that management may become more complex under a hybrid model.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a huge experiment in widespread remote working,” Joyce said.

“As business leaders plan and execute reopening of their workplaces, they are evaluating more permanent remote working arrangements as a way to meet employee expectations and to build more resilient business operations.

“The question now facing many organisations is not how to manage a remote workforce, but how to manage a more complex, hybrid workforce.

“While remote work isn’t new, the degree of remote work moving forward will change how people work together to get their job done.”

For organisations that are welcoming employees back to the workplace, a variety of safety measures are being implemented, the survey found.

Almost all (94%) of respondents intend to limit face-to-face meetings (94%) and 83% said they would limit or sequence employee attendance.

Brian Kropp, chief of research for the Gartner HR practice, said steps should also be taken to maintain company culture.

“It is critical that employers get their corporate culture and employee experience right during this period of uncertainty,” Kropp said.

“Both facets help ensure organisations achieve the financial, reputation and talent outcomes that will drive business outcomes and competitive advantage.”

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