Once an industry established on strong office culture, the finance profession has adapted their previous working policies to reflect the ‘new norms’ in a post-pandemic world of work.
Recruitment experts, Hays’ March 2022 Quarterly Insights Survey, which received over 9,000 respondents – with over 1,000 respondents from those working in accountancy and finance – revealed that a significant 79% of employers now offer a hybrid form of working, of which 27% offer complete flexibility, leaving it up to employees to choose how frequently they come into the office.
Perhaps slightly more surprising is the fact that over a fifth (21%) of employers surveyed stated that they would look to hire fully remote talent within the next year. As a result of the new working practices, 57% of companies are rethinking the way the workplace is used – whether that’s downsizing, offering a more collaborative workspace, or implementing hot-desking.
Karen Young, Director of Hays Accountancy & Finance, comments: “What can be drawn from our latest Quarterly Insights Survey is that an overwhelming majority of finance professionals would opt for an organisation that offers hybrid working – 62% stated that hybrid working is their preferential policy, with 23% selecting fully remote working.
Perhaps even more telling is the fact a sizeable 82% of employees positively stated that since hybrid working has been applied, their work-life balance has improved.
As competition for finance professionals continues to heat up – employers need to continually address their offering to make sure they can attract top talent. Aspects such as flexibility are almost as important as salary – so employers need to make sure they are promoting their offering.”
