The End of the Traditional 9-5? IWG New Study Finds 70 Per Cent of Us Skip the Office to Work Elsewhere

Zurich (ots/PRNewswire) -

IWG reveals the results of largest ever poll on flexible working
attitudes - surveying over 18,000 professionals from a range of
different industries across 96 countries

More than two-thirds of global employees work remotely every week,
and over 50% do so for at least half of the week, heralding a major
reassessment of corporate real estate, according to a comprehensive
new global study.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/659938/IWG.jpg )

The emergence of this mobile workforce has been driven by
technological change, globalisation and changes in employee
expectations, according to IWG, the parent group of leading workspace
companies including Regus and Spaces.

IWG has released a study based on the insights of over 18,000
business people across 96 companies. It found that every week 70% of
employees are working at least one day a week somewhere other than
the office. More than half (53%) work remotely for half of the week
or more, whilst more than one in 10 (11%) people work outside of
their company's main office location five times a week.

Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG, said: "People from Seattle to
Singapore, London to Lagos no longer need to spend so much time in a
particular office.

"We are entering the era of the mobile workforce and it is hugely
exciting. Not just for individual employees, but for businesses too.
This is a huge shift in the workspace landscape globally, and
businesses are now looking closely at what this means for their
corporate real estate portfolios."

The study by IWG also found that businesses recognised that
offering flexible working strategies to their employees provided them
with significant benefits:

- Business growth (89% - up from 67% in 2016)
- Competitiveness (87% up from only 59% in 2014)
- Productivity (82% up from 75% in 2013)
- Attracting and retaining top talent (80% - up from 64% in 2016)
- Profit maximisation (83%)

For generations, the world has understood office-based work to
involve a fixed location and a 9-5 schedule. But an unprecedented
number of businesses are now adopting a very different working model,
which produces benefits for them and their workers.

The IWG survey found that flexible working not only reduces
commuting time, but enhances productivity, staff retention, job
satisfaction and even creativity. This is in addition to the
financial and strategic advantages that it brings for businesses.

Creating a happier, more productive workforce

The move to flexible workspaces reflects the changing demands and
expectations of the workforce. 80% of those surveyed agree that
flexible working helps them retain top talent whilst 64% are now
offering this to help them recruit. Over half (58%) agreed that
offering flexible working improves job satisfaction, demonstrating
the need for businesses to provide working environments suited to
today's employees to maintain a first-class workforce.

The benefits businesses are experiencing are clear: a resounding
91% said that flexible workspaces enable employees to be more
productive while on the move.

Ian Hallett, IWG Group Managing Director and Global Head of Brands
and Ventures, said: "New technologies mean many of us can now work
anytime, anywhere. The challenge for businesses is how to optimise
this new landscape. Companies are realising the benefits of flexible
working and its ability to increase productivity, job satisfaction
and business performance."

Everyone is demanding 'on-demand'

The survey showed also that flexible working and the use of shared
workspaces are no longer the preserve of start-ups. The world's most
successful businesses - including varied companies such as Etihad
Airways, Diesel, GSK, Mastercard, Microsoft, Oracle and Uber - are
already adopting a flexible workspace approach.

Mr Dixon added: "Changes in technology and digitalisation have led
to a growing use of on-demand services generally in business, with
organisations of all sizes wanting to increasingly outsource non-core
activities.

"Flexible working, supported by a professional on-demand workspace
network, is now being discussed by senior leaders across functions in
companies including risk management, business development, human
resources, marketing and strategy.

"One day soon, flexible working could simply be known as
'working'. We are reaching the tipping point."

Notes to Editor

Over 18,000 professionals from a range of different industries in
96 countries were surveyed in the IWG Flexible Working Survey. The
sample is drawn from an IWG global contacts database of over 2.1
million senior businesspeople, managers or business owners,
worldwide. The sample is highly representative of senior managers and
owners in businesses across the globe. Respondents were canvassed
online in January 2018 and contacts were drawn out of a pool of
customers, prospects and business leaders from over 100 countries.
The survey was independently managed by MindMetre Research.
Respondents were asked for their views on the benefits and drivers of
flexible working. More information is available at
http://www.iwgplc.com.

About IWG

IWG is leading the workspace revolution. Our companies help more
than 2.5 million people and their businesses to work more
productively. We do so by providing a choice of professional,
inspiring and collaborative workspaces, communities and services.

Digitalisation and new technologies are transforming the world of
work. People want the personal productivity benefits of living and
working how and where they want. Businesses want the financial and
strategic benefits. Our customers are start-ups, small and
medium-sized enterprises, and large multinationals. With unique
business goals, people and aspirations. They want workspaces and
communities to match their needs. They want choice.

Through our companies we provide that choice, and serve the whole
world of work: Regus, Spaces, No18, Basepoint, Open Office and
Signature. We create personal, financial and strategic value for
businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies
and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the
next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of
flexible working to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility
and market proximity.

We're reaching a tipping point. The workspace revolution is
coming.

Join us at http://www.iwgplc.com

ots Originaltext: IWG
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Original-Content von: IWG, übermittelt durch news aktuell