Hybrid work continues to rank among the top three benefits Canadian professionals desire across all fields. According to recruitment firm Robert Walters’ 2024 salary survey, 46 per cent of professionals would look for a new job if asked to increase their in-office workdays.

This contrasts with the intentions of many employers. One in five said they want to see their employees in the office more, although 79 per cent said they would not issue a full return-to-office yet, even if it wouldn’t impact retention. A survey last fall by KPMG indicates that 55 per cent of Canadian CEOs anticipate a complete return to office by 2026.

“Leaders attempting to implement a full return-to-office are quickly going to run into trouble – as it’s clear that many professionals won’t readily give up the flexible working routines that they’ve spent the last 3-4 years getting comfortable with,” said Martin Fox, managing director of Robert Walters Canada.

“Our research shows that gone are the days where employers competed for talent on salary alone – so having a clearly defined hybrid working model will be a key ‘benefit’ to leverage for candidate attraction and retention this year, particularly where hiring budgets remain stringent.”

There are many elements to consider. The poll found that the main factors deterring professionals from spending more days in the office were long commutes (47 per cent), disruption to their work-life balance (32 per cent), distractions at work (14 per cent) and associated costs (7 per cent).

The most prominent reason for people coming into the office more was because they were asked to do so by their employer (52 per cent). Just 10 per cent said that it helps with their weekly routine. One in five respondents stated that being in the office improved collaboration with peers.

“There is a balance to strike with flexible working,” said Fox. “If more days in office are what companies want – the onus is on senior leadership teams to make the office the heart of their work community and inform professionals of what can be gained by returning.”

An estimated 39 per cent of professionals stated that ‘changes to hybrid-working’ will have the biggest impact on workplaces this year. Altering working models, though, must come with incentive and compromise.

“To retain employees and encourage more in-office attendance, employers should offer benefits that better reflect their needs and preferences,” said Fox, who shared the top five ways to get employees back into the office. They include:

• Flexible schedules. Offer flexible work hours or compressed work weeks that allow employees to balance their work and personal life more effectively;
• Enhanced office amenities. Invest in improving the office environment to make it more comfortable and beneficial to work. This could include ergonomic furniture, quiet workspaces, recreational areas, and quality on-site food and beverage options;
• Assisting with employee spend. Things like subsidizing travel and providing breakfast or lunch are low-cost incentives that make a huge difference to professionals’ daily costs and budget;
• Upscale mentorship/training opportunities. Having mentorship programs or additional training opportunities in the office provides a significant draw for professionals looking to upskill; and
• Organize collaborative sessions or interactive Q&As with senior figures. Having a more open and communicative culture can be a big draw for professionals returning to the office.