DUBLIN, 15 December 2020 – Research by Willis Towers Watson has found that 91% of employers surveyed in Ireland are committed to paying remote workers the same as in-office staff regardless of location in 2021. Furthermore, organisations in Ireland only expect about 7% of work done through telecommuting today will be offshored to another international location within three years, good news for Irish employees in terms of rewards and potential future job security.
Only 1 in 10 organisations surveyed in Ireland today have structures that can support the development of a flexible and agile workforce. The 2021 Willis Towers Watson ‘Flexible Work and Rewards’ Survey analysed the current and planned work and rewards procedures and policies of domestic, international and global businesses across all industry sectors in Ireland.
The survey also found that while only 2% of full-time employees officially worked remotely three years ago in Ireland, this figure rose to 49% in 2020 and is expected to be 33% by 2023. This growth trend is important for employers to consider now, as the research found that only 1 in 10 organisations surveyed in Ireland today have structures that can support the development of a flexible and agile workforce.
Concerns for employee safety were cited by 94% of employers surveyed in Ireland as their reason for providing remote working practices in 2020 however over a third (35%) had yet to create a formal policy or define principles for alternative working arrangements. Nearly half (42%) of all respondent organisations however do plan to adopt formal measures that will be introduced in 2021 and 65% expect that these policies will become permanent in the future.
Regarding business costs, the research found that most organizations surveyed in Ireland expect declines in commuting to work (42%) or real estate expenses (53%) over the next three years leading to overall business cost savings. In 2021, any business savings in these areas are likely to be partially offset by an increase (34%) in working from home allowances for employees for costs such as supplemental computer equipment and hardware.
Commenting on the survey, Sarah McDonough, Country Lead for Talent & Reward for Willis Towers Watson Ireland, stated, “The results of this survey are a great indicator of how employers in Ireland are adjusting to the impacts of COVID-19, how it has ushered in a new norm in terms of work practices, and greatly accelerated trends regarding working from home and other flexible arrangements.
“The research found that 30% of employers are not concerned with where work is undertaken and that there is a need for a hybrid model of in-office and remote working to facilitate employees. Furthermore, with 3 in 5 organisations surveyed in Ireland now recognising the need to create a more agile workforce, we can see that employers are clearly focused on productivity and thus putting in place structures to aid employees, that will ultimately yield benefits in terms of health and wellness, as well as rewards and talent retention.
“30% of employers are not concerned with where work is undertaken and that there is a need for a hybrid model of in-office and remote working to facilitate employees.”
Sarah McDonough
Talent and Rewards Country Lead at Willis Towers Watson Ireland
“While the research yielded positive indicators, it did also show that many businesses in Ireland are currently experiencing issues in ensuring employee productivity. Only 10% of organisations believe that their current staff structure can support an agile workforce, which would allow for the implementation of flexible strategies to encourage workers to respond immediately and proactively to change. Looking at the longer-term evolution in working practices there is certainly a need to address these issues, however businesses in Ireland are showing a desire and aptitude for future innovation that benefits their employees and businesses.”
“Only 10% of organisations believe that their current staff structure can support an agile workforce, which would allow for the implementation of flexible strategies to encourage workers to respond immediately and proactively to change.”
Sarah McDonough
Talent and Rewards Country Lead at Willis Towers Watson Ireland
In Ireland 34 employers participated in the Flexible Work and Rewards Survey, which was conducted in September and October 2020. Those surveyed employ approximately 147,000 workers across Ireland.
