A new research commissioned by security firm Kaspersky of 8,000 SME workers across multiple industries has revealed that almost three quarters of employees (74%) want to rethink pre-Covid-19 ways of working.
Instead of returning to business as usual, workers worldwide are now shaping a future of business on their terms, whether that’s spending more time with loved ones (47%), saving money (41%), or working remotely (32%).
In casting off the shackles of previously rigid job routines, employees are rethinking the next normal for work, inspiring more agile, accommodating, and humane work cultures.
Moving forward, almost two in five workers (39%) want to leave behind the 9-5 working structure, and this figure is even greater for those aged 25-34 (44%), suggesting a growing trend.
A similar number (34%) are ready to see the back of fixed office desks, and around a third (32%) want to end the five-day working week.
The research also highlighted that nearly a third (32%) of employees see remote working as the third greatest benefit which comes as a by-product of the novel coronavirus, after spending time with family (47%) and saving money (41%).
In fact, most of the advantages revolve around pursuing new opportunities for personal enrichment outside of work, as getting that work-life balance becomes even more important.
But given that well over a third (38%) of the workforce actively seeks more technology support from their organization when working remotely, the need to provide the tools and technology to keep users productive, connected and secure has never been greater, according to the report.
Alexander Moiseev, chief business officer at Kaspersky, said: “We are facing a defining moment in time, and this is very exciting. It’s clear this pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and the blending of our work and homes lives. What we’re now seeing is employees using technology to own a new future, and actively taking the lead in embracing changes in pursuit of greater freedom and flexibility. Companies now have a mandate to adapt and remodel the modern workplace into something more productive, sustainable and malleable.”
