Most Canadian employees favor a hybrid schedule that balances office and remote work, according to a recent survey by Indeed, reports Benefits Canada. The poll of more than 1,000 full-time workers highlights a dramatic shift from pre-pandemic routines: only 34 percent of respondents now work in the office five days a week or more, compared with 83 percent before COVID-19.
Most respondents currently follow a hybrid schedule, typically coming into the office around three days weekly.
The survey also highlighted challenges linked to in-office work.
“Nearly nine in 10 respondents reported at least one challenge associated with working in the office, including reduced time for personal or family responsibilities, less flexibility in working hours, sleep disruption and increased feelings of burnout,” the report states.
Women were more likely than men to experience these pressures, underscoring the ongoing imbalance in unpaid labor, with Statistics Canada data showing women spend 42 percent more time than men on household and caregiving tasks.
Financial concerns tied to commuting and office attendance were notable. Although only 30 percent of participants considered these costs their main difficulty, nearly all (95 percent) said in-office work increased their expenses, including transportation, meals, and clothing.
Over half of those reporting higher clothing costs said they didn’t have sufficient wardrobe options for more frequent office attendance.
Employee sentiment suggests potential retention risks if companies enforce rigid in-office policies. Only one-fifth of respondents would welcome additional office mandates, while around 20 percent indicated they might seek alternative employment if flexibility decreased.
The findings indicate that hybrid models are likely to remain a key factor in employee satisfaction and workplace strategy moving forward.
