A surprising group is backing the traditional five-day office workweek: not only is it the boomers, but retirees!
A recent news.com.au survey of 1,870 Australians revealed that 35% support working onsite full-time, slightly higher than the 31% who believe one to two remote workdays is ideal. However, the report uncovered an unexpected insight—45% of those favouring a full-time office setup are retirees.
The data shows a generational divide in workplace preferences. 56% of respondents aged 75 and older believe employees should be in the office five days a week, a sentiment shared by 42% of Baby Boomers. By contrast, only 29% of Millennials and 23% of Gen Z workers prefer the traditional office setup.
How Can We Measure Who Works Harder?
Liam D’Ortenzio, head of people and culture at Employment Hero, attributes this generational split to different workplace experiences. Older generations equate in-office presence with productivity, collaboration, and professional visibility, as remote work was not a widespread option during their careers.
Meanwhile, younger employees—many of whom entered the workforce during or after the digital transformation—have seen firsthand that remote work can be just as effective, if not more so when managed properly.
These findings come at a time when more businesses are implementing return-to-office mandates, both in Australia and globally. Companies like Amazon, Dell, and Tabcorp have reinforced office attendance policies, signalling a shift away from the remote and hybrid work models that gained traction during the pandemic.
Reporting for Duty
A separate report by Robert Half found that as of June 2024, 39% of Australian employees were required to work in the office five days a week. However, the research also indicates that strict mandates lead to higher employee dissatisfaction.
Among those required to work onsite four or five days a week, 23% expressed dissatisfaction with the policy. In comparison, only 15% of employees asked to come in twice a week reported being unhappy with their work arrangement.
“Mandated office days can be a double-edged sword,” says Andrew Brushfield, Director at Robert Half. “While they encourage collaboration and connection, they can also lead to resentment and disengagement if not implemented thoughtfully. The key for employers is to create an engaging, rewarding office environment that highlights the positives of in-person work rather than making attendance feel like a chore.”
As businesses continue shaping their post-pandemic workplace policies, the challenge lies in striking a balance—ensuring employees feel engaged while also meeting operational and cultural goals. Thoughts?
Iceberg is Melbourne’s go-to recruitment company! Specialising exclusively in recruiting for digital, marketing, PR, digital, experiential & advertising jobs. Permanent, freelance and contract roles are available! Sign up to our weekly newsletter HERE.
