Recent research from the UK’s largest family run recruiter has revealed how businesses are currently navigating the new working ‘normal’ and the rise of hybrid working.

Reed’s survey highlighted that three quarters of office workers have been offered more flexibility with 29% working on a hybrid basis, 37% working remotely and 34% in the office as companies begin to look at the future of work more permanently.

However, businesses could find themselves part of the ‘The Great Resignation’ if they don’t look at their working model. Of those employees surveyed who weren’t currently hybrid working, nearly half (45%) would consider changing jobs to be able to work on a hybrid basis. Of those willing to leave, 68% said that hybrid working would suit their lifestyle better, 48% said they would prefer it and 44% said they believe they would be more productive.

Out of the workers who were working on a hybrid basis, 60% said their work-life balance was better since they started working this way, and 86% said their productivity was the same, or better (31% said they were more productive, 55% said their productivity was the same).

Ian Nicholas, Global Managing Director at Reed, said: “Hybrid working is the work revolution that seems to be here to stay, as office-based organisations adjust to what is becoming the norm. Our research has found that hybrid working is more and more popular among the UK workforce with three quarters being given the option to work on a hybrid basis already.

“Additionally, businesses not offering hybrid working are set to lose out on talent as office workers are prepared to leave to find a role that offers more flexibility. Recent data from Reed.co.uk found a 79% increase in job vacancies with some form of dynamic working arrangements compared to the start of the pandemic.

“With employers facing a candidate-driven market and job vacancies reaching an all-time high in the UK, hybrid working is a vital tool for businesses to attract and retain new talent. However, it also offers them other benefits, as employees report they have a better work-life balance and are more productive at work.