According to the HP Workplace Relationships Index, a 2023 global study that surveyed more than 15,000 workers and business leaders across 12 countries, only 25% of UK office workers have a healthy relationship with work right now. Worse still, those who have an unhealthy relationship (75%) say they feel disconnected from their organisation and are thinking about leaving.
These statistics should serve as a wake-up call for businesses. Such a high volume of unhealthy relationships with work is not only bad for employees (it affects them emotionally and physically, as employees report eating poorly, exercising less, and having mental health problems), but it is also bad for businesses, as productivity decreases.
These workers are unlikely to advocate for their own employer, with only a quarter (24%) saying they would be willing to recommend their company as a good place to work. The robust future of work the world needs is not sustainable at this rate. So why is this happening and how can companies create a better experience for their employees?
General Director of HP for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Our relationship with work has changed
In recent years, not only has the way we work on a global scale changed, but also the way we think about what work is and what its future should look like. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019, only 4.7% of UK employees worked from home. By 2022, a quarter (25%) of UK employees worked from home at least some of the time, and by June 2023, 29% worked from home some of the time and 10% all of the time.
Meanwhile, when it comes to how we think about work, Gen Z (which will account for 30% of the workforce by 2025 according to the World Economic Forum) has different expectations than millennials or baby boomers who entered the workforce before them. They say they value, among other things, flexible working, inclusive environments and prioritising mental health.
While the widespread adoption of flexible working hours has led to many positive changes in the workplace, such as support for working mothers and those with accessibility needs, it has also resulted in a workforce that benefits from much less human interaction. This has been detrimental to company culture in many cases, as office drinks, team-building exercises and group celebrations have been drastically reduced or had lower attendance.
Events like these provide an important space and time for colleagues of different ages, levels, teams and skills to network, discuss projects outside of their daily routine, celebrate triumphs and connect on a more human level. As a result, it has become much more difficult for employees, especially younger ones, to build strong working relationships, learn from older colleagues and advance their careers.
The 'Great' Return
Over the past year, the media has been reporting on the many organizations, from tech companies to government, that are demanding that their employees start spending more time working in the office, with threats of bonus cuts, delayed promotions, or even dismissal for those who refuse to comply. But all of that is pointless. What we really need to do is effectively communicate the reasons why going to the office is worthwhile, and then follow through on them, so that employees feel that commuting or attending a meeting in person rather than by video conference is a good use of their time.
Without the office, a work community has no foothold. It’s where you can make yourself visible, build trust and authenticity through shared experiences, and, in our case at HP, physically connect with the products you sell. All of these things work together to create the structure and culture of a workforce that will stand the test of time. At HP, we’re living proof of that. The company was founded in 1939, and many of our employees enjoy decades of careers here, helping in turn to support and mentor younger colleagues moving up the ranks.
In the UK, we see our six offices as building blocks for successful and resilient professionals who will continue to lead the business for the next 85 years. Conversely, if businesses are forced to close an office because workers don’t use it enough and employers can’t justify the rents, this will lead to less interaction, connection, community and support.
The Workplace Relationship Index found that satisfaction is the most important factor for a healthy relationship with work. When looking at what it means to feel fulfilled in today’s work world, it’s all about “my job gives me purpose,” “I feel connected to the work I do,” and “the work I do at my organization is meaningful to me.” If we can offer workers the purpose and connection they seek in the office, we won’t need to resort to threats to get them through the door. They’ll see it as a good use of their time and a smart investment in their future.
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