How many Australians would quit if asked to return onsite?

In the wake of growing office-return mandates worldwide, three in 10 Australians would consider leaving their jobs if they were asked to come back onsite, according to reports.

Findings from Randstad revealed that 24% of Australians would actively search for another job with a hybrid work environment if they were asked to return to the office.

Another six per cent said they would quit even without another job lined up if their employer mandated an office return, news.com.au reported.

These reactions on office-return come as 52% of white-collar workers in Australia consider working from home, whether full-time or a few days a week, a "fundamental right."

"After four years of remote and hybrid work, office workers feel they have earned the right to work from home and many have made life choices, such as buying a pet or relocating further away from the office based on the assumption that this flexibility was here to stay," said Angela Anasis, Executive General Manager of Randstad Australia, as quoted by news.com.au.

"It's no surprise therefore that they're concerned about this right being stripped away without proper justification."

Incentivising attendance is key

Various employers across the world, such as Amazon and Tabcorp, have been announcing policies that expect employees to come back to the office full-time.

These policies have been met with dissatisfaction from employees, particularly in Amazon, where nearly three in four are reportedly eyeing resignation after the mandate was announced there.

Anasis said employers who want to encourage office return should "carefully consider how to incentivise attendance."

Randstad's report revealed that 24% of employees would be encouraged to return on-site if it comes with a significant pay rise.

Another 79% said they would come back if various perks were offered by their organisation, such as free lunches, gym memberships, or free parking and public transport.

Anasis said employers should foster a work environment that can lure employees back "by choice, not obligation."