40% of employers willing to implement ‘hushed hybrid’ to keep staff happy
- 60% state that commutes are the most important expense to get subsidized by employer
- 74% of US professionals claim commutes are major factor when considering new job
- 88% of professionals don’t receive any support from employers with commutes
- Professionals currently spending between 1-5% of their annual salary getting into work
- End of the super commuter? Only 13% willing to spend up to 2 hours commuting
- 40% managers would look to implement ‘hushed hybrid’ to help retain staff
60% of US professionals think commuting expenses are the most crucial cost to have subsidized by employers.
Lloyds Bank plc recently confirmed it would be reviewing office attendance as part of performance-based bonuses for its most senior bankers. Joining the ranks of a roster of major companies announcing return-to-office mandates – from Amazon to JPMorgan Chase.
Robert Walters’ recent poll of 2,500 white-collar US professionals has revealed the slew of Return to Office (RTO) mandates may be creating a ‘travel rift’ between employers and professionals, as many workers face inflated costs.
Sean Puddle, Managing Director of Robert Walters North America comments: “Calls for a return to office have only gotten louder this year, as leaders increasingly view them as being key to enhancing productivity and workplace culture.
“However, as the pandemic gave rise to hybrid working as a standard and prompted some professionals to switch city life for more rural surroundings – RTO mandates are leaving many professionals with longer, more expensive journeys into the office.”
Major factor in new job roles
When asked about the most important workplace cost to get subsidized by their employer – 60% of professionals prioritized commuting costs over tech equipment, food and health or wellness options.
Indeed, 74% of professionals consider them a major factor when considering new job opportunities.
However, 88% of professionals say they don’t receive any support from their current employer when it comes to commuting costs.
Sean comments: “We’re already noticing how an increasingly high cost-of-living, along with professionals being faced with longer commutes and travel disruptions are influencing what they expect and value in employer offerings.
“Yet with tightened budgets and increased taxes expected in 2025 – many employers may struggle to give them exactly what they want.”
Micro-or super commutes?
The number of ‘super commuters’ (professionals travelling at least 90 minutes to get to work) rose during and in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic as hybrid working arrangements meant professionals could move out of major cities.
However, Robert Walters data shows that just 13% of professionals are now willing to spend up to 2 hours travelling into the office – with even less (2%) spending any time above that.
In fact, 29% stated they’d commute for up to an hour, while the majority (56%) wouldn’t travel for any longer than 45 minutes or less.
Sean adds: “With delays and cancellations adding extra minutes and sometimes hours onto commutes, those who moved out of cities initially may be coming to regret their decisions – now faced with either having to seek new positions closer to home or take longer journeys to work for an increasing number of days each week.”
Salaries taking a hit
Pre-pandemic, commuting costs in the US accounted for a significant portion of household expenses. In 2023, U.S. households allocated approximately 17% of their total expenditures to transportation, averaging $13,174 per household.
More days in the office could mean the price of commutes edge closer to pre-pandemic levels and taking into consideration inflation and cost of living hikes – and even result in a bigger chunk being taken out of professionals’ salaries.
Sean comments: “Rather than firms engaging in traditional salary wars – this year, we could see companies compete by ramping up travel subsidies, flexibility or allowing staff to commute in during off-peak periods to help counter rising costs.”
‘Hushed hybrid’ to become the norm
Work-life balance remains a top priority, additional research from Robert Walters found that 35% of professionals were willing to stick to a lower-paying job if it offered greater flexibility, rather than switching jobs solely for better pay.
Not only that, but dozens of US employers have signed up to make a permanent move to the four-day working week.
Indeed, despite the official word from many leaders being to boost office attendance, two fifths (40%) of US managers admit they’ll look at implementing ‘hushed hybrid’ – allowing their staff to quietly work from home, to still allow flexibility.
Sean concludes: “Hybrid-working has been a key working arrangement for many professionals since 2020 and whilst some will be determined to maintain this, others may be more willing (and able) to make a full-time move back to the office.
“Employers will no doubt need to reevaluate their attraction and retention strategies – figuring out what a ‘good employment offer’ means this year – especially to meet professionals’ increasingly diverse needs.”
ENDS
About Robert Walters
Robert Walters is one of the world's leading specialist professional recruitment consultancies and focuses on placing high calibre professionals into permanent, contract and temporary positions at all levels of seniority. The US business recruits across the accountancy and finance, banking, risk, legal, compliance, technology, sales & marketing. Established in 1985, the Group has built a global presence spanning 25 countries.
For media enquiries contact:
Laura O’Flynn,
Marketing Manager, North America
E: laura.oflynn@robertwalterscom
