NZ businesses think these workers should be office-based full-time

Many New Zealand businesses are optimistic on reaping great results because of flexible work, but nearly half of them said entry-level roles need to be office-based all the time.

This is according to a new report from real estate consultancy JLL NZ that surveyed 36 New Zealand businesses across various industries, finding that 67% of them are optimistic of performance improvement over the next 12 months because of flexible work arrangement implementations.

However, many of these businesses also agreed that such arrangements could have a negative impact on career progression, collaboration, as well as organisational culture.

In fact, the report found that almost half of the businesses surveyed believed that it is important for graduates or those in entry-level roles to be based in the office full-time.

For Todd Lauchlan, JLL NZ managing director, however, these employees shouldn't be alone in such regard.

"The office environment accelerates learning and development opportunities, be this through a structured framework or just being able to absorb what's going on around you," said Lauchlan in a statement. "This is particularly evident for early-career professionals, but it also provides a platform for two-way mentoring, helping leaders stay connected to evolving trends and human needs. This is why we ultimately see the new model as evolution, not revolution."

Read more: Flexible work options rise in value as jobseekers look to cement work/life balance

The survey comes as the implementation of flexible work arrangement emerges as a new norm across businesses now that the impact of the pandemic is waning.

In New Zealand, the report said many businesses are "ready to embrace a flexible working model as central to their future growth strategies," with almost half saying they plan to redesign their offices in the next 12 months to accommodate this new arrangement.

"We know that in New Zealand, businesses are not simply looking for space that will accommodate flexible working; they want it to be modern, sustainable and state-of-the-art to enhance the overall office experience," said Lauchlan.

"Employees are looking for offices that provide a place for them to share experiences with their colleagues; where they can meet, eat, learn, and connect," added the managing director. "Human-centred offices that meet the varied needs of employees are in high demand, and premium office buildings in top locations have virtually no vacancies now, as businesses look to up their game."

The survey from JLL is part of a bigger survey among 241 businesses across the Asia-Pacific, where they "universally agree" that they need to invest in more than technology solutions to maximise the potential of hybrid work.