However, many prefer working remotely and would likely resign if asked to return to the office
Less employees worked from home in late 2021, according to the latest survey from the Federal Reserve Board, but employees expressed their unhappiness at returning to the office.
According to the board's "U.S. Households in 2021 report”, 22 per cent of employees in late 2021 were working entirely from home, down from the previous 29% in late 2020. Despite this, the number is still significantly higher than the seven per cent who were working from home before the pandemic began.
According to the report, most employees who worked from home preferred doing so and attributed their preference to work-life balance and less time commuting. They were also more likely to look for a new job if they are required to return to their offices, according to the report.
These findings reflect the growing dislike of remote work employees across the world over the notion of returning to offices - a growing trend among organisations now that vaccinations are widespread and the pandemic's effects on society are showing signs of decline.
In a similar study last year from Joblist, 51.5% of employees admitted that they left their organisations or are considering on doing so because they refuse to return to offices.
A study from Ipsos late last year also revealed that 40% of their respondents would consider looking for another job if their managers want them back at the office full-time.
Majority of the respondents said they want their employers to be more flexible in implementing return-to-office schemes, and according to analysts, businesses who do not recognise the emerging importance of flexibility would lose talent.
"Employers who fail to understand this need are at the risk of losing talents. Thus, beyond an attractive perk, workplace/schedule flexibility will be a default requirement post-pandemic," said Lars Erik Lie, Ipsos Public Affairs associate director, in a statement.
Read more: Nearly half of your employees plan to quit – here's how to stop them
Other findings
Meanwhile, the report from the Federal Reserve Board also revealed the different experiences of workers amid the pandemic.
In late 2021, 15% of the respondents said they were in a different job than 12 months earlier, with most who admitted they transferred saying their job change was an improvement.
The board's report also examined the financial lives of adults and their families, with 78% of the respondents saying they are either doing okay or living comfortably financially.
Respondents from racial and ethnic groups also saw improved financial well-being, especially among Hispanic adults.
Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle Bowman said in a statement that the results provide "valuable insight into Americans' financial conditions during the late fall of 2021."
"This important perspective helps the Federal Reserve better understand the economic challenges that existed during that phase of the pandemic recovery."
