14 Key Insights from 10+ Surveys on Return to Work
How does Return to Work survey data correlate to employee engagement and resilience?
Published in
2 min readJun 30, 2021
Future of work is hi-flex
95% of employees want some control over how, when and where they work
Source: Workplace Intelligence and Savanta, Inc. survey Feb 2021
80% of employees want some form of hybrid work
Source: Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index
70% of employees want to work remote for at least 2 days/week
Source: Stanford SWAA March 2021
75% of employees would give up at least one workplace benefit or perk for the freedom to choose their work environment
Source: Workplace Intelligence and Savanta, Inc. survey Feb 2021
Remote work is effective
87% of employees found remote working same or better than expected
Source: Stanford SWAA March 2021
80% of employees reported same or higher productivity working remotely
Source: Stanford SWAA March 2021
67% of employees view remote work as a benefit or extra pay
Source: Stanford SWAA March 2021
Compared to one year ago, 39 percent of people in our study said they are more likely to be their full, authentic selves at work
Source: Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index
“People who interacted with their coworkers more closely than before — by meeting their children and pets over video, or even sharing a cry — not only experienced stronger work relationships (+12%), but also reported higher productivity (+23%) and better overall wellbeing (+9%)”
Source: Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index
The Case for Change
Engagement — Globally, employee engagement decreased by 2 points to 20% in 2020
Source: Gallup 2021 global workplace study
Resilience — Only 15% of workers globally are Highly Resilient
Source: ADP Research Institute Global Workplace Study 2020
Stress — 43% of global employees (57% in US & Canada) experienced stress during a lot of the previous day
Source: Gallup 2021 global workplace study
Burnout — Burnout is widespread — 54% of workers said they are overworked, 39% said exhausted
Source: Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index
The Great Resignation — 41% of those surveyed said they’re mulling leaving their jobs
Source: Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index
Flex or Quit — 54% would consider quitting their job if not given some form of flexibility in where and when they work
Source: Gallup 2021 global workplace study
