Businesses offering fully flexible working plummets to 27%

Figures published in the latest edition of Dublin Chamber’s Business Outlook Survey show the number of firms offering full flexibility to staff on the number of days they spend in the office has fallen from 37% in Q2 2024 to 27% a year later.

Just over one third of firms (36%) require staff to present on a number of core days, a slight increase on previous years.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Director of Public and International Affairs Aebhric McGibney said “Hybrid and remote working has been well embedded in the working environment for many years now and is still a major draw for attracting and retaining talent in a tight labour market. The hybrid work model remains the predominant workplace arrangement for Dublin firms, with most employees required to spend two or three days in the office per week, with fully flexible arrangements having dropped to 27% in this quarter. ”

“This shows a trend that highlights, while businesses are willing to be flexible, a more structured approach is being settled on with core days being more important. This is down to a number of reasons such as fostering culture and collaboration and increasing productivity”.

“Dublin businesses understand that many employees enjoy a more flexible arrangement around working and have helped to foster this in their companies. But businesses also understand the benefits of in person innovation cannot be replicated remotely. Striking that balance is key to ensuring that a workplace is productive in the longer term”.