Gender disparities and mental health concerns emerge in evolving work preferences
A study released by Ivanti on March 10 revealed that 71% of employees would rather work remotely than receive a promotion. The survey included 6,119 office workers and IT professionals from around the world, with more than 4,200 preferring the flexibility of working from anywhere. However, 10% reported negative effects on their mental health, and some noted feeling disconnected from colleagues (9%) or working longer hours (6%).
The study also highlighted gender differences: men reported being overlooked for promotions more often in the digital-first environment, while women, though benefitting from flexibility, felt pressured to work longer hours.
Employers were urged to adopt technology to promote collaboration and address these disparities.
Additionally, 42% of employees preferred a hybrid work model, while 30% wanted to work permanently from home. This preference shift represents a 20% decrease from earlier studies, as more employees express a desire for in-office interactions.
Jeff Abbott, CEO of Ivanti, emphasized that automation could help improve work-life balance, especially for IT and security teams, while enhancing employee experiences. The study gathered opinions from participants in several countries, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Australia.
