The only constant is change. And work preferences are changing dramatically, according to a new survey from Bankrate.
Nearly 9 out of 10 (89%) of full-time workers or those looking for full-time work support a 4-day work week, remote work, or hybrid work. And overall, 51% of workers would be willing to change jobs or industries to attain their preferred situation.
"This is quite stunning to me," says Mark Hamrick, Senior Economic Analyst at Bankrate. "Because it really does show how people are seeking a better equation with respect to the relationship between their personal lives and their professional lives."
What's giving job seekers these bold desires? Well, in part, a healthy job market. Despite some sectors struggling, the national unemployment rate remains remarkably low at 3.5%, and job openings are still prevalent in various industries.
"I think broadly speaking, the economy is performing much better right now than we would have thought," Hamrick says.
While not all jobs currently offer remote or shorter workweek options, employers may need to adapt to these preferences to attract and retain top talent.
"And so it's sort of like pay me this way or pay me that way, but one way or the other pay me," Hamrick says. "And so one way that you can get non-financial compensation is essentially having less requirement to be in the office."
As technology continues to advance, there are possibilities for more effective tools such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence to revolutionize the way we work.
These advancements might create further opportunities for remote work, although certain job roles will always require in-person presence. As Hamrick points out, you can't pilot a commercial airliner from home.
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