Eight in Ten (85%) Working Canadians Believe Employees Can Be Fully Productive From Any Environment Given the Right Tools
More than eight in ten (84%) working Canadians `agree' (27% strongly/57% somewhat) that `flexibility in working from anywhere is one of the most important things a 21st century business or organization can offer its employees, while fewer than two in ten (16%) `disagree' (3% strongly/13% somewhat) that this is the case.
A strong majority of working Canadians firmly believe that employees can be just as productive working from other areas rather than their office desk or workstation. A similar proportion (85%) also `agree' (40% strongly/45% somewhat) that `an employee can be fully productive from any environment given the right tools', with just 15% `disagreeing' (3% strongly/12% somewhat).
To compliment this sentiment about efficient productivity being able to be executed from various locations and working hours, three in four (75%) `agree' (22% strongly/52% somewhat) that `the traditional way of working, where you're sitting at your desk from 9 to 5, is becoming increasingly unnecessary', as opposed to one in four (25%) who `disagree' (4% strongly/22% somewhat) with this assessment.
A sizeable portion of Canadians would even go so far as to say they would not work in an environment that isn't flexible. Half (45%) `agree' (11% strongly/34% somewhat) that `they would never work for an organization that didn't accommodate a flexible working environment, when it came to working from anywhere', while the remaining half (55%) `disagree' (11% strongly/44% somewhat).
Offering the Tools for Maximizing Productivity - Why and Why Not?
Interestingly, while majority (61%) indicate that their workplace offers its employees the proper tools to maximize productivity from wherever they're most productive, two in five (39%) cite their workplace as not offering these tools, with managers and executives (41%) slightly more likely to make this claim compared to general employees (37%).
Among those who believe that their place of work does not offer these necessary tools, four in ten similarly say it's either because their management values `traditional' work styles where employees are most productive from a single location (39%) or that offering these tools for flexibility is not part of their office culture (38%). One in four (26%) say their workplace doesn't have the budget for the needed technology, while only one in ten (13%) indicate that there is not enough people who desire a more flexible work style. One in five (22%) cite some other reason for not offering these tools.
Having the proper tools to promote productivity from anywhere has also afforded the majority of working Canadians to accomplish more in their daily life because of having more flexibility. Half (49%) indicate feeling less stress on a daily basis, with two in five citing being able to ensure that all work-related tasks are completed and done in a regular fashion (41%), completing more work-related tasks in a regular day (38%), and getting more `at-home' tasks such as grocery shopping and appointments done due to this flexibility. One in three (32%) cite being more likely to take part in `special moments' (such as anniversaries, children's school plays, etc.), while one in ten (12%) give some other accomplishment.
Reflecting on Your Workplace's Management and Style...
Most managers and executives (89%) and general employees (85%) `agree' that `maintaining the perfect balance of flexibility and productivity is the most important factor for an effective manager in today's workforce, with just 11% of managers and executives and 15% of general employees `disagreeing'.
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between October 18th to 23rd, 2013 on behalf of Microsoft. For this survey, a sample of 1,023 working Canadians (including 503 in a manager or executive role) from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentage points had all working Canadians adults been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Vice President
Ipsos Reid Public Affairs
416.572.4474
[email protected]
About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.
To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.
With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.
