Over 50% of Irish Workers Say They Want to Work From Home

More than half of Irish working-age adults (56%) say they will in future only consider jobs that offer flexible working, or allow them to work from home and quit the office forever.

Irish Work From Home trends

According to the latest monthly Job Search Survey from Indeed, 18% of respondents said in future they would only apply for jobs allowing remote working, with a further 38% saying only jobs that allow a hybrid or flexible approach would be considered.

The survey also indicated that two thirds (64%) of workers’ views of what they looked for in an employer had been changed by the pandemic.

Issues that were cited as important to employees included: clear health and safety guidelines to protect against Covid and future public health issues (52%); increased flexibility in working, with at least 2 days or more from home as an option (49%); and their employer providing team-building opportunities to maintain relationships (26%).

Against a backdrop of wage, inflation employees cited the need for hefty salary increases to consider moving jobs: 40% said they would require a pay bump of 20% plus, with a further 31% saying they would look to be paid at least 10% more before considering a move.

Indeed’s monthly review of trends continues to show that employers in hiring mode with the level of job postings on Indeed in Ireland 53% ahead of its pre-pandemic baseline.

Set against this high supply of new jobs are continuing signs that they will prove hard to fill, with only 4% of respondents actively and urgently seeking a new role, and a further 14% actively looking, but with no urgency.

When asked reasons for the lack of urgency in job search respondents cited caring responsibilities for children or elderly relatives (30%), having a financial cushion in place to delay the need (22%), and concerns about workplace safety due to Covid (18%).

CSO data published in November showed that Irish household savings rose by €31bn last year to an all-time high of €313bn, in part due to reduced consumer spending during the pandemic1.

The gradual erosion of these funds as normal life returns could force some people to start searching more intently in the New Year.

Commenting on the survey, Pawel Adrjan, Head of EMEA Research at Indeed said: “There is little doubt that the pandemic will have a lasting impact on the world of work, with opportunities for flexible working or working from home now widely expected from employees.

“In a tight labour market employers looking to fill roles will likely need to think about how they can tailor opportunities to meet these expectations. Against a backdrop of inflation and rising labour costs it is clear that many workers expect generous pay increases to tempt them to change roles.”