Wireless Wednesday Exclusive: Christie Smith, Senior Managing Director – Accenture

A WirelessWednesday exclusive with Christie Smith of Accenture.

As organizations around the world make plans for their people to return to the workplace, the latest research from Accenture finds that 83% of employees want a hybrid model ─ where individuals have the ability to work remotely between 25% and 75% of the time. The global study titled, “The Future of Work: Productive Anywhere,” finds that 40% of individuals feel they can be productive and healthy anywhere ─ either fully remote or onsite or a combination of the two ─ as the hybrid workplace emerges.

Additionally, 85% of people who say they can be productive and healthy anywhere also say they plan to stay with their company for a long time. However, finding a hybrid model that works for all generations may be a challenge: three in four Gen Zers (74%) want more opportunities to collaborate with colleagues face-to-face, a higher percentage than Gen Xers (66%) and Baby Boomers (68%).

Here's the interview:

Organizations that enable a resilient workforce to be more productive and healthier anywhere are also reaping financial benefits: 63% of high revenue growth companies have already enabled productivity anywhere workforce models, where employees have the option of working remotely or on-site. While the vast majority (69%) of negative or no-growth companies are still focused on where people are going to physically work, favoring all on-site or remote rather than enabling hybrid.

As responsible leaders consider the various options available to their workforces, they must move beyond a focus on physical location to shape a future of work that provides their people with the resources they need to be productive anywhere. Organizations consider these specific actions:

MODERNIZE HR - The world around us has changed, and HR policies and practices must evolve. Develop a strategy that ensures workers are Net Better Off ─ across six workplace dimensions including relational, physical, emotional and mental —as they transition to new workspaces, teams and roles.

DESIGN WORK AROUND PEOPLE - Organizations must acknowledge and respond to the needs of all types of workers. Organizations that support psychological and physical safety will foster trust.

BUILD DIGITAL FLUENCY - Digitally fluent organizations have higher revenue growth and are more likely to be considered great places to work. Focus on designing tailored skilling and learning paths that serve the needs of all workforce segments.

LEAD WITH HUMANITY - Responsible leaders create environments in which the Modern Board, CEO and entire C-suite work together — no matter where they are.

To find out more about the report, visit https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/consulting/future-work .