How do you win the war for talent when 90% of employees don’t want to return to the office?

Following a recent poll we conducted on LinkedIn focused on the appetite to increase time spent in the office, only 10% of the 2,500 who responded wanted to return to the office full time.

In recent months, the noise around a mass return to the office full time has increased, only our findings indicate there is only a minimal appetite for employees to make this change.

This highlights the importance for firms to offer flexibility to retain their very best people as well as to win the war for talent.

Why is flexible working important to attract quality talent?

We are still seeing unprecedented demand for high quality talent in Audit, Tax, Corporate Finance and Corporate Recovery, it remains to be  a candidate driven market.

The accountancy market has seen significant salary and remuneration increases combined with record levels of promotion in an attempt to retain talent.

Accountancy professionals are seeking more than just financial reward, working in a role that provides flexibility and a good work life balance is crucial.

Understanding an employer’s position on the expectations around spending time in the office or at home, is one of the main drivers in whether a candidate stays or seeks a move elsewhere.

Flexible firms win the war on talent

The firms that offer flexible working and can shift their mindset to move away from employees being in the office full time will win the war for talent.

Establishing a clear direction on remote working and flexibility around how much time employees are expected to be in the office, help to attract the very best talent whilst retaining colleagues.

This provides individuals with confidence and reassurance that these working practices are permanent and the firm are invested in them. Not simply, an initiative which looks and sounds great on the surface, only for them to be changed in the future.

Developing an attractive proposition to attract high-quality accountants and stand out in the market is no longer hangs on financial reward, career progression and an attractive client base. Accountancy firms at all levels have to offer flexibility in where their teams work – otherwise you will lose the war for talent.

If you would like to discuss how you can win the war for talent in 2023 and implement your strategic recruitment objectives, we would be delighted to arrange an informal conversation.