The majority of professionals across Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong have a strong preference for continuing in a hybrid or remote work model, according to research from Morgan McKinley.

The research showed that 89% of respondents in Singapore expressed a strong preference for continuing in a hybrid or remote work model while this figure was 90% for Japan and 80% for Hong Kong.

Professionals in Singapore working in hybrid models express the highest contentment with their work patterns, with 38% willing to forego pay raises for desired flexibility. Meanwhile, this figure stood at 40% for Hong Kong and 42% for professionals in Japan.

Despite employee preferences, 61% of companies in Singapore are urging staff to return to the office more regularly; while in Hong Kong this stood at 90% and in Japan this stood at 62%.

On employee dissatisfaction, onsite workers in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan showed higher rates of actively seeking new employment opportunities compared to hybrid and remote workers.

When it comes to talent attraction and retention, flexible working arrangements emerge as a crucial factor with 48% of hiring managers in Singapore highlighting its importance. This stood at 27% in Hong Kong and 50% for hiring managers in Japan.

In Singapore, Morgan McKinley’s report showed that 1-2 days in the office is the favoured weekly working pattern for 45% of professionals, with a further 37% selecting 3-4 days in Singapore. Only 9% are happy to be in the office for the full five working days.

In Hong Kong, the report found that 3-4 days in the office is the favoured weekly working pattern for 55% of professionals, with a further 21% selecting 1-2 days in Hong Kong. Only 20% are happy to be in the office for the full five working days.

Meanwhile, in Japan the report found that 1-2 days in the office is the favoured weekly working pattern for 49% of professionals, with a further 28% selecting 3-4 days in Japan. The data showed only 10% are happy to be in the office for the full five working days.

Gurj Sandhu, managing director, Morgan McKinley, said, “Four years post-pandemic, the global workforce is still grappling with the ongoing debate surrounding hybrid work models. Simply mandating a five-day-a-week office presence would likely encounter resistance and productivity dips. Our research underscores the resounding preference for flexibility, with 86% advocating for continued adoption of hybrid arrangements.”

“Companies, therefore, need to implement a strategic and mindful approach to this remote rewind,” Sandhu said. “Striking the balance between flexibility and practicality calls for close collaboration through open communication channels and understanding the motivations driving employees' desires for flexible work arrangements. 2024 will be a pivotal year to see if organisations see flexibility as not just a perk but a fundamental aspect of workplace cultures creating a more inclusive, productive, and resilient workforce.”