Many employees miss coworkers, work-life separation

Physical workspace worries

However, one third (33 percent) of those in the actual workplace are concerned about the increased time and cost to commute. This is much more common among Millennials (59%) than Gen X workers (31%) and Baby Boomers (30%). Women (43%) are also much more concerned about this than men (25%).

Also, 26% of those in the office are still concerned about exposure to COVID-19. Millennials (35%) and women (30%) also express greater consternation about this compared with their counterparts (19% of Gen X, 31% of Baby Boomers and 21% of men).

Meanwhile, more than 70% of workers in the IT sector will quit their job if their employer forces them to head back to the office, according to another survey.

And many hybrid workers share the same concerns as remote and on-site workers: 41% are concerned with blurred work-life boundaries; 39% worry about limited connection with colleagues; and 31% are concerned with the increased time and cost of commuting.

“Rather than assuming a return to the office will be the panacea, leaders can also be proactive in helping to set and maintain more definitive work boundaries in this new world of work,” says Ray.