More Canadians are seeing the benefits of a hybrid work model and say they’re enjoying the collaboration and social benefits of time spent with colleagues in the office, the 2023 Aviva How We Live Report reveals.
The research was conducted through a Leger-led online survey of 2,500 Canadians, between March 29 and April 15, 2023.
Findings show that fewer Canadians are now working from home permanently (19 per cent) than was the case in 2022 (27 per cent), while more people are working hybrid a few days each week, at 29 per cent currently compared to 25 per cent a year ago. More Canadians also say they are appreciating the ability to balance work and home priorities without compromising work culture.
Flexible working options remain highest and most popular among Canadians aged 35 or
younger.
When they do spend time in their workplace office, Canadians cited a collaborative environment as the more pressing reason to return in person, followed by the social atmosphere. Fifteen per cent said they were able to juggle work and home priorities more easily because of greater flexibility, up from 9 per cent who felt that way last year.
However, about 21 per cent are finding the commute to work expensive, while others, to a lesser degree, find the office a difficult place to concentrate in since working at home.
Great resignation trends may be easing, the report also found. Employees are opting for safety and stability as economic uncertainty continues, with the majority feeling stressed about inflation and a possible recession and others concerned about layoffs and how poor economic conditions could impact promotions and pay raises.
“It’s great to see the social benefits of hybrid work bringing enthusiasm back to office days, but it’s still very much a world of contradiction as people try to embrace the social benefits while managing commuting frustrations and their growing concern over the impact of the current economic outlook,” said Susan Penwarden, managing director, personal lines, at Aviva Canada.
“Cost of living and inflation worry is a sentiment widely expressed throughout this year’s report, reflecting how economic doubts have lingered post COVID, impacting Canadian decisions from housing to activities to leisure activities and even their decision to perhaps remain in their current roles.”
