According to a new survey by headhunting firm Hanson Search and workplace consultancy Moveplan, flexibility regarding remote working has become the main priority of people applying for senior roles in London since the start of the pandemic. The survey also revealed that many senior executives had decided to go freelance during lockdown, or were considering doing so.
The survey found that flexibility was considered more important than issues such as salary and bonuses. Of the 1,100 professionals surveyed, 73 per cent asserted that their productivity and the quality of their work had improved due to remote working.
40 per cent of respondents said they wanted the freedom to decide where they worked on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, 30 per cent said they had looked for or taken on a role based on the flexibility offered by the hiring company.
The survey also revealed that 29 per cent of senior executives had questioned their current careers and considered alternatives during lockdown, with many opting to start freelancing. While 15 per cent of respondents wanted to be able to work from abroad, 21 per cent said they were considering quitting their jobs in order to go freelance.
Hanson Search founder Alice Weightman said: “Businesses are facing an unprecedented set of challenges. With the war on talent heating up and a noticeable shortage of skills across industry sectors, those that get it right, will be at an advantage.
“The shift in power has moved from the employer to the employee and they are looking for a better work-life balance and are not afraid to ask for what they need.
“Employees, including senior executives, are looking for flexibility in where they work from, with many wanting to be able to work abroad for a few months of the year. Businesses need to think about how to attract and retain good talent even more so than ever before.”
