New research reveals three-quarters of working parents say they would look for a new job if they were required to travel to a central office five days a week

01 July 2024: New research among working parents has found that three-quarters (74%) would look for a new job if they were asked to travel to a central office five days a week. ​

The study, undertaken by International Workplace Group among more than 1,000 parents in hybrid working roles, found that 83% said they were better parents as a result of the flexibility offered by hybrid working. 89% say they are closer to their children and are more present (92%), while 86% say their family’s quality of life has improved. ​

A key driver of improved family happiness has been the additional time afforded to parents by the reduction of long daily commutes. 84% of parents said hybrid working allowed them to spend more time with their children, with 85% saying they are now more involved in day-to-day parenting responsibilities. ​

Nine in 10 parents (90%) said that hybrid working had empowered them to have a better work/life balance, which in turn is enabling more time for family activities. This is particularly pronounced in the morning, with parents reporting that they have more time for breakfast together (67%), getting children ready for school (54%) and doing the school run (53%).

After school, parents said they can now more regularly help their children with homework (46%) and eat dinner with their family (49%), while 9 in 10 (90%) said they were now more able to be there for important milestones and events for their children, including parents' evenings (52%), family birthdays (48%) and school holidays (51%). ​

On average, parents now have an additional five hours a week to spend with their families, equivalent to 260 hours a year or an additional hour every working day. Almost a quarter (23%) of parents reported time savings of more than five hours a week. ​

The study by International Workplace Group, the world’s leading supplier of hybrid working solutions with brands including Regus and Spaces, also revealed that, on average, parents were saving nearly ZAR 100,000.00 a year on childcare. More than half (56%) said that they would struggle to pay for the childcare services required to cover a full five-day working week in a central office. ​

Mark Dixon, Chief Executive Officer, International Workplace Group commented: “The ongoing and irreversible shift to hybrid working is having a transformative impact on the lives of millions of people globally. This latest research highlights how parents working in the hybrid model are enjoying a significantly improved work/life balance. Instead of wasting hours commuting long distances daily, they are now working locally, enjoying more of those important family moments that they were previously missing out on.”

Fatima Koning, Group Chief Commercial Officer, International Workplace Group commented: “Our research shows that flexibility is now a decisive factor in how and where parents choose to work. With parents currently making up 40% of the workforce, organisations that overlook this shift to the hybrid model risk falling behind and will struggle to attract - and retain - the best talent as the modern workforce continues to demand adaptability. Ultimately, employers who embrace this are investing in a happier, more engaged workforce"

International Workplace Group, the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with brands including Spaces and Regus, added 867 new locations globally last year to meet the growing demand for hybrid working.”

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ - END - ​

Notes to editors ​

*Research among 1,003 participants in May 2024 by Mortar Research. The survey polled office workers who now work in a hybrid style and live with their children. ​ The sample was nationally representative of region and gender. Mortar Research is accredited by the Market Research Society (MRS), and the research adheres to MRS guidelines. ​

About International Workplace Group PLC ​ ​ ​

International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity. ​ ​ ​

International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base. ​ ​ ​

Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group app. ​ ​

For more information visit www.iwgplc.com ​ ​

​