Four in five businesses plan hybrid working in 2022
– Dublin Chamber survey
+ 78% of businesses to offer a combination of remote and on-site work next year
+ Just 3% of businesses to offer fully remote working conditions post-pandemic
+ Mondays and Fridays are expected to be quiet days in the office
Saturday 6th November: Almost 4 in 5 businesses (78%) plan to offer a hybrid model of remote and on-site working in 2022, according to Dublin Chamber’s most recent Business Outlook Survey (Q3 2021).
Notably, only 3% of businesses are planning to offer fully remote working conditions next year, assuming a full relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions. Only 1 in 20 businesses (5%) state that they will not offer remote working arrangements under the same conditions.
Dublin Chamber’s Director of Public & International Affairs Aebhric Mc Gibney said: “As public health advice for a phased return to the workplace remains in place, over half of companies (52%) report that they are still working on the details of their long-term policy for remote working. However, it is clear that for most businesses, a combination of on-site working with remote and flexible working is preferable. This has important implications both for the commercial property market and for the vibrancy of our cities.”
Mr Mc Gibney continued: “The office is here to stay, but its role is evolving. We are looking at a major long-term shift in working patterns and it is important that city planners take this into account. Dublin needs to adopt the 15 Minute City as its model, providing accommodation in close proximity to workplaces to facilitate a steady level of footfall and activity.”
Dublin Chamber, which represents businesses in the Greater Dublin Area, said the survey results indicate that the office will remain a major part of working life in the future, and will be important to the economic viability of Irish cities. The survey was carried out among more than 370 firms and focused on the reopening of businesses, the future of work practices, and what they will mean for Dublin and other urban centres.
Mondays and Fridays expected to be quiet office days
Mondays (25%) and Fridays (38%) have been identified by businesses as the days of the week most widely anticipated to see no or low numbers of staff on-site in the future. However, almost 3 in 5 businesses (57%) reported that this will not apply to them, with many stating that they expect a steady number of employees on-site throughout the week.
Mr. Mc Gibney said: “The majority of businesses are planning to use core days, core hours, or a combination of both, as part of their hybrid working model. During these times staff will be required to be on the business premises in person, while flexibility will be offered on other days. This survey confirms anecdotal reports that Monday and Friday will be the preferred days for remote working. This may impact on the atmosphere of the city on those days and must be considered as part of a plan to rejuvenate our city centres.”
Almost two thirds of businesses (65%) report that they will limit the number of staff accessing the premises at one time, while 70% of businesses will see their business premises reconfigured due to the pandemic, according to the Dublin Chamber survey.
Mr Mc Gibney continued: “The survey results demonstrate that businesses were already planning for a phased and cautious return to the workplace prior to recent updated public health advice. The overwhelming preference for a hybrid model of on-site and remote working has proven that although businesses are welcoming new work patterns, the future of the office is still a priority.”
“It is important for businesses and the future of our urban centres to see some on-site working, where it is safe to do so. Companies have reported that on-site working is a priority in cultivating a positive workplace culture and community. At the same time the return to the office is crucial for increasing footfall in our urban centres while providing much needed business to retail and hospitality sectors.”
- Ends -
Notes to Editors: Dublin Chamber’s Business Outlook Survey Q3 2021 is now available in full here.
For further information please contact:
Róisín McAtamney | Public Relations Executive | Dublin Chamber | roisin@dublinchamber.ie
+ 353 1 644 7249