This sentiment was especially prevalent among young people aged 18 to 29 with 64% saying that the ability to work remotely was an important factor in their job choice.
Despite the return to the office, the survey shows that remote work has had a positive impact on job satisfaction, productivity, and work autonomy, with 60%, 54%, and 50% of respondents reporting improvements in these areas. The study also found that hybrid work arrangements, where employees can work remotely and in the office, have become the norm.
Mikael Pentik inen, CEO of Suomen Yritt j t, said that allowing remote work can be a competitive advantage for employers. Many young people place a high value on remote work and would consider changing jobs if it was not possible, he said. It should be encouraged if multi-location work adds value for both the employer and employees. The survey also found that remote work has reduced the number of sick days taken, with 52% of respondents reporting fewer absences due to illness. Over half 54% said that remote work has made it harder to separate work and personal time.
The majority of employees 79% said their employer supports remote work, and most people would choose to work from home or office if multi-location work were to become more common.
The Ty el m gallup survey was commissioned by Suomen Yritt jt, Finland's interest and service organization for small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs, and conducted by Kantar Public Oy in January 2023 with 1,028 respondents. The survey has a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points at a 50% confidence level.