According to a recent study by the International Workplace Group, almost half (49%) of university graduates would not apply for jobs that require a full five-day office presence. The survey showed a preference for flexible work arrangements, with an additional 18% indicating they would hesitate to pursue roles lacking flexibility.
Employers who insist on full-time office attendance are left with access to only 33% of the graduate talent pool. The study found that commuting costs and time were significant deterrents, with 83% of graduates citing these factors as their main concerns. Many graduates equate hybrid working to a 13% salary increase, thanks to savings on travel and housing.
Bryony Williams, founder of HR consultancy The Glass Female, noted that hybrid work is not just a matter of convenience. “It represents a broader shift in balancing life and work post-pandemic. Flexibility offers employees greater autonomy while maintaining productivity,” she said to People Management.
Flexibility is a decisive factor for many graduates today. Williams recalled coaching a candidate who, despite being offered a higher salary and more responsibility at one company, chose another role offering better flexibility. “That’s how valuable flexible working has become,” she highlighted.
Even though hybrid working is highly valued, 74% of respondents said salary remains their top priority. However, 62% rated hybrid working as more important than other benefits like workplace culture (53%), health insurance (25%), and pension plans (21%).
Despite the desire for flexibility, 63% of graduates agreed that working in the office is crucial for teamwork and learning from experienced colleagues.