Key takeaways: 

• 63% of workers would take a pay cut for more flexibility
• Nearly half of employees might quit if remote or hybrid options ended
• Fully flexible work improves retention by 42%

Employees are choosing flexibility over money, reshaping how some companies think about office life.

Hybrid work has become the norm, reshaping workplaces since the pandemic accelerated a preference for flexibility. Employees now prioritize autonomy over traditional office perks — and even pay raises — giving companies that embrace flexibility a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent.

Flexible work schedules 

Hybrid and remote arrangements surged during the pandemic, and although flexibility declined slightly from 62% in 2022 to 45% today, employees remain firm in their preferences.¹ According to a Cisco global survey, 63% would take a pay cut for more flexibility.² Pew Research further reveals nearly half (46%) might quit if hybrid or remote options ended — with even higher rates among women (49%) and employees under 50 (50%).³

The preference is a broad shift across industries and demographics, as employees in technology, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing have adapted to remote and hybrid work setups, reshaping their routines around flexible schedules.⁴

Read more: Work gets a time shift as routines stretch and AI steps in

Flexibility boosts financial and emotional well-being 

Beyond cost savings from fewer commutes, flexible schedules support emotional health, particularly among younger workers. Deloitte research indicates Gen Z and Millennials value flexibility for enhancing work-life balance and mental health.⁵ The rise of "workcations" — combining leisure travel with work — further underscores how deeply flexibility is reshaping employees' expectations, with 58% already embracing this trend.

Read more: Soft skills stand up in the workplace

Companies benefit from offering flexibility 

Companies are also benefiting from flexible work arrangements. Cisco reports a notable boost in retention (42%) and productivity (50%) for organizations embracing full flexibility.⁶

Yet effective communication remains crucial. While 77% of employees believe office mandates aim to enhance productivity, only 36% feel these policies are clearly articulated.⁷ High-performing employees especially value transparent, flexible policies, with 78% viewing them as essential to career decisions.⁸

Read more: The pursuit of workplace happiness

Four-day workweeks 

Flexibility extends beyond hybrid and remote options to include alternative workweek structures. An international trial involving 141 companies tested a four-day workweek, with participants reporting improved mental and physical health, reduced burnout, and steady productivity.⁹ Remarkably, 90% of these companies chose to maintain the four-day schedule, benefiting from fewer sick days and lower turnover rates.¹⁰

Empower research underscores the broader trend toward flexible scheduling. For example, 16% of employees would reject new roles unless offered a four-day workweek, while one in four would accept lower pay for it. Additionally, unlimited PTO appeals strongly, with 26% willing to take a pay cut and 16% unwilling to consider roles without it. A report from Monster supports this shift, finding 33% of workers avoid jobs requiring five-day, in-person schedules entirely.¹¹