Employees believe a hybrid work arrangement has the most positive impact on enhancing their productivity, according to research by recruiter Robert Half.
The firm says that when asked to outline the impacts on productivity of different work environments, only six percent of employees stated it does not matter where or when they work, as they do not believe it would impact their productivity.
It says workers believe working at home has the greatest positive impact on their productivity levels, whether that is for some (70 percent) or all (63 percent) of their working week.
Similarly, for 32 percent, working from the office full time was reported as having the highest negative impact on productivity of all ways of working.
Megan Alexander, managing director at Robert Half, says in a statement that workers find that the blend of in-office and at-home work optimises their productivity by leveraging the unique advantages of each environment.
“But most New Zealand employers now require full-time office attendance as business leaders recognise that the absence of in-person work hinders the collaborative culture that leads to increased productivity.
“In saying this, many organisations are providing flexible work hours, giving employees the option to adjust their day when needed as an alternative, which is shown to have positive effects on worker productivity, motivation, and engagement.
“The most successful organisations will be those that find the right balance between flexibility and accountability.” Alexander says.
The study was developed by Robert Half and conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology.
