Study: 69% Of Aussie Workers Aren’t Keen On Returning To The Office
More than a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changes in our daily lives are obvious – in the way we work, the way we live and the way we spend money.
The big question is: Are these changes permanent?
Dynata explored this question in its new report, Global Consumer Trends: New Lives in a New World, with some interesting results.
Sixty-six per cent of Australians believe that their lives will not be the same as before the pandemic, compared to 57 per cent of respondents worldwide.
Thirty-nine per cent of respondents worldwide want to take more care of their health than they did before the pandemic. A lot more Chinese (47 per cent) and Japanese (52 per cent) want to take care of their physical health better post-pandemic.
People are also questioning their jobs, with 34 per cent worldwide thinking about changing roles.
In Australia, 81 per cent of those surveyed assume that working life in the future will be similar to what it is at the moment – the highest amongst all the markets surveyed.
Out of those Aussies who have been working remotely during the pandemic, nearly eight in 10 Gen Xers want to continue this work setting.
The research also found that cash is losing importance in Australia, with 75 per cent wanting to keep contactless payment in the future.
Let’s delve a bit further into the research findings…
Life after the pandemic
Are the changes in job and life sustainable? Well, that is what 57 per cent of the people in the 11 countries surveyed by Dynata think. In Australia, 66 per cent believe that life will never be the same again.
In particular, the sensitive view of one’s own health has increased. Worldwide, 39 per cent of respondents said they would pay more attention to their physical health now than before the pandemic, and 37 per cent want to pay more attention to mental health.
Working after the pandemic
Internationally, 71 per cent of respondents believe that their working day will not be the same as before the pandemic.
Australians have become accustomed to working from home, and not all are looking forward to returning to the office. In fact, 69 per cent of Australian workers who currently work fully or partially remotely have little or no enthusiasm for returning to the office, according to the study.
Among those with a hybrid model, the figure is 65 per cent. Generation X, in particular, does not want to go back to the office in Australia, with 77 per cent of workers age between 40 and 55 saying they definitely or probably want to continue to work remotely.
Internationally, 41 per cent said they have a better work-life balance than before the pandemic.
While 39 per cent of Australians perceive that they work significantly more hours since the pandemic than before, 67 per cent of respondents feel that mobile working allows them to be more flexible with their working hours.
Dynata found that the pandemic has also made many people think about their jobs and careers.
Globally, 34 per cent are thinking about switching to a different job, and 36 per cent are considering a change in their career. The desire is particularly strong among younger people worldwide.
In Australia, 37 per cent are very interested in changing careers, especially amongst Gen Z and Millennials (at 46 per cent equally).
Forty per cent are thinking about changing their employer, with those aged between 25 and 39 feeling particularly strong about it.
Travel
For people in Australia who are planning a trip in the next six months, surprisingly, seven per cent of them are thinking of destinations abroad despite the border closure.
The majority of respondents (88 per cent) intend to travel within the country, and half of those intend to make it a road trip with their own vehicles. The most popular holiday plan is a beach vacation (36 per cent) as we are heading into spring and summer.
Internationally, 40 per cent said the reason for not travelling was fear of catching COVID-19. In Australia, 36 per cent said the same. The bigger deterrent is ‘cannot afford to travel right now’, expressed by almost four in 10 respondents to the Dynata survey.
Even before the recent lockdown, 51 per cent of the surveyed Australians agreed that to feel totally safe returning to ‘normal’ activities, their whole family will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This belief is shared strongly amongst those who have kids at home.
Contactless payment on the rise
In the pandemic, many of us have become accustomed to contactless payments and shopping. Dynata noted that these consumer behaviours seem to be more common in the Asia-Pacific markets that it had surveyed.
Australians (75 per cent) and Japanese (87 per cent) are among the top three countries that want to continue using contactless payments in the future.
Consumers in both China and Japan would like to continue to run errands online, have groceries delivered and shop online more often going forward.
Featured image source: iStock/gorodenkoff
Please login with linkedin to comment
cash Chief Executive Officer Dynata employment Global Consumer Trends: New Lives in a New World health jobs Office Research Study Survey Travel working from home working remotelyLatest News
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): Emotional Lego Masters Goodbye Does The Numbers For Nine
And we thought Lego could only make you cry when you accidentally stood on a piece.
Lisa Wilkinson AM To Join Cannes In Cairns As Keynote Speaker
Multi-Award Winning Journalist and TV Host Lisa Wilkinson AM to speak at Cannes in Cains, sponsored by Pinterest.
Mamamia Names Natalie Harvey As New CEO
Mamamia has today announces the appointment of Natalie Harvey as Chief Executive Officer.
‘The Media Has A Way To Go On Diversity’ – Diversity Council Leader Lisa Annese On Industry Diversity And Why Sunita Gloster Is An Important Addition To Their Board
Few are more qualified than a Gruen regular to knock adland and the media into shape on diversity.
Mike Shows Up At A Wake And Still Hasn’t Seen That Show, In Latest Instalment Of ‘I Saw It On Binge’, Via Thinkerbell
Why is it we pay for 19 SVOD accounts namely due to FOMO but then rarely bother to watch the shows anyway?
Flexiroam Partners With Specialist Agencies To Launch “Ready For Anything” Global Campaign
Do you return from overseas with Bali belly, a possible STI & a huge phone bill? FlexiRoam may help with the last one.
Samsung Unveils Power Of AI To ‘Upscale Every Moment’ With Neo QLED 8K
Got mates who brag about their 83-inch, 10K resolution, OLED screen TV? You're just as bored & baffled as all of us.
Media-Wize Wins AUSCERT PR Account
Media-Wize calls itself "a media training and technology and cyber security PR agency". Think nerds with better hair.
Snapchat Taps Gelato Messina In New Brand Campaign
B&T needs little tempting to scoff more Gelato Messina. Apart from having to go up a size.
Travel Insurer Trippi Draws Ire From The Brazilian Embassy Over Cheeky Brazilian Ad
There's a very fine line between "playful" and "utterly offensive". These ads are almost a dictionary definition of it.
Racing NSW Hits Tabcorp With Legal Action Over $6 Million Revenue Loss
Here's some horse racing news that thankfully doesn't require a silly hat or passing out in a nearby rose bush.
AI Tools Such As ChatGPT Leading To ‘Content Overwhelm’ Among Marketers
Study says tech leading to an avalanche of content for marketers. Not to mention having to read the instruction manuals.
Stake Appoints 72andSunny As It’s Creative Partner
72andSunny nabs Stake's creative. And by that we mean the investment platform, not the nemesis of all vampires.
61% Of Aussies Want Corporate Australia To Stay Away From Social & Political Issues Leo Burnett Study Finds
Do you love a study that appears to fly in the face of every study before it? Be mesmerised by these results from Leos.
Brendon Cook, OAM, Inducted into the OMA Hall of Fame
Other than Australia's typically pleasant weather, no one's done more for outdoor than the former oOH! boss.
New Campaign Highlighting Renewable Gas As A Crucial Component Of Energy Transition
It's hard not to make a renewable gas ad sound like a tedious Year 9 science lesson. So well done to the agency here.
Love Media Welcomes Alana Dowling As New Client Director
Seasoned media pro Alana Dowling joins the Love Media team. Clearly replacing someone who didn't love it
B&T 30 Under 30 – Where Are They Now? Until Recently, Prison!
A prestigious 30 Under 30 gong can get you headhunted, promoted or, in this instance, a two-year stint in the slammer.
“We Will Never Tell A Journalist What To Write” – Nine’s Aimie Rigas On How Data Is Shaping News
Data becoming the journalist's tool for more engaged content. Still not beating dodgy MAFS contestants or a Kardashian.
Beware The Bad Guy. Billie Eilish Fans Brace Themselves For Scammers
Thought getting Tay Tay tickets was an unimaginable nightmare? Read on as Billie Eilish promoters say hold my beer.
Twilio Names Chris Koehler As CMO
Chris Koehler named as Twilio's CMO. Which may prove a prickly tongue twister after a lengthy open bar tab.
ARN Announces Ad Sales Partnership With The Athletic
Can we slow the rotation of the sun? Because that's the only way we'll fit all these new podcasts into one day.
Burger Wars Continue As Hungry Jack’s Brings Back The Big Jack & Mega Jack
Hungry Jack's' Big Mac ripoff set to return after recent legal win. Still no one racing to clone the Filet-O-Fish.
Diverse Voices, Sustainable Choices: Natalie Dean-Weymark On Why Sustainability Is A Non-Negotiable
Here, Compass Studios' Natalie Dean-Weymark talks diversity in media. It's the human equivalent of the Family Assorted.
New Partnership Between The Sweetshop And The Gardening.Club
Thought you'd be getting tips on aphids & fungus gnats from this Gardening. Club news? Prove yourself totally wrong here.
‘A Very Rare Breed Of Creative’ – Clemenger BBDO hires Chief Creative Officer
B&T's chatting with Clems boss Dani Bassil on Adrián Flores CCO appointment. We never got to Italian or Thai herbs.
Concrete Playground Debuts Innovative Urban Exploration Platform With Lexus As Launch Partner
Concrete Playground announced the launch of its redesigned website in partnership with Lexus. This partnership introduces a new era of urban discovery, enabling a deeper, more intuitive engagement with cities through a state-of-the-art digital platform. Revolutionised Digital Experience Concrete Playground’s website has undergone a significant transformation, designed to enhance the way users interact with their […]
Mindshare And The Brand Agency Take Top April’s New Business Rankings
Which agencies soared like an eagle for the month of April? As in stellar performance, not Eddie the hapless ski jumper.
Suntory BOSS Coffee Fuels Ambition With New Campaign From It’s Friday
Does your workplace have a strict, policed illegal drug policy? Then Suntory BOSS Coffee will have to do.
Resolution Digital Wins MyPlates Media Account
The best thing about personalised number plates is it makes spotting wankers on the road far easier. And drug kingpins.
Debunking The “Three Year Lie”: A New Approach To Retail Digital Strategy
This columnist says it's wrong to claim digital always has a three-year pay off. Has no opinion on the seven-year itch.
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): The Farmer Is Back And He Wants A Wife
It was a good night for lovers of farming and love.
The Growth Distillery Unveils The New Rules Of Influence
The New Rules Of Influence has arrived. And there appears to be no "difficult second album" syndrome here.
Whittaker’s Launch New Brand Platform, ‘Hello Chocolate Lovers’ Via Bastion Shine
New Zealand chocolate brand continues its insidious march into the Aussie market. Much like New Zealanders themselves.
Tyro Shows They Are ‘Into Business Big Time’ With New Brand Campaign Via Howatson+Company
Think finance isn't funny? Think again with this fun work. Yes, it still applies to funeral homes & Clive Palmer ads.
IAB Study Finds 66% Of Advertisers Have Five Or Less Years Experience With Affiliate & Partnership Marketing
Study finds advertisers & agencies not overly experienced with affiliate marketing. The opposite to networking drinks.