UK workers prioritize flexibility, reject hustle culture: Owl Labs
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Employees in the United Kingdom are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance and flexibility over the once-celebrated hustle culture.
A recent survey by Owl Labs, which included 2,000 UK full-time workers, reveals significant changes in workplace preferences and behaviors, highlighting the growing demand for hybrid work models and better work-life integration.
“It’s clear from our data that employees – regardless of age – are craving more authentic employment experiences that allow them to follow their passions and foster more meaningful connections,” said Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs.
“Tired of burnout, workers are looking for novel ways to tackle workplace stress. With 55% of employees having worked remotely from places besides a home office or coworking space, trends such as workcations or “quiet vacationing” are on the rise.”
Hybrid work becomes the new norm
Despite mandates by companies like PwC and Amazon pushing workers to return to offices, the majority of employees resist the idea.
The research shows that over half of UK workers (51%) now adopt a hybrid working model, a 5% increase from the previous year. Despite some companies pushing for a return to office, only 11% of employees prefer full-time office work.
The preference for flexibility is so strong that 47% of workers would seek new employment if they lost their hybrid work privileges. This trend suggests that companies insisting on full-time office presence may face significant retention challenges.
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Work-life balance takes center stage
As the focus shifts towards better work-life balance, UK workers are setting firmer boundaries:
- 19% refuse to take on work outside their specific job descriptions
- 20% won’t answer work messages outside of work hours
- 63% engage in “clock blocking,” protecting their calendars from excessive meetings
Three in five employees (61%) think meetings that start at 8 a.m. or before are too early while 92% believe a meeting after 4:30 p.m is too late. Millennials (57%) are the most likely to “clock block” compared to Gen Z (22%) and Gen X (16%).
The study also reveals a growing interest in the four-day work week, with 73% of employees willing to sacrifice some salary for this arrangement.
The rise of the “green flag boss”
The research indicates that having a supportive supervisor or “green flag boss” is almost as important (89%) as salary (90%) for employees. However, challenges remain, as 54% of managers admit they’re more likely to seek opinions from in-office colleagues, potentially disadvantaging remote workers.
Weishaupt emphasizes the importance of management training, stating, “Our data backs up the old adage that people don’t leave companies, they leave managers. Companies, therefore, need to continue to invest in management training so that we’re creating a workforce of ‘green flag bosses.’”
