The survey conducted by Capterra reveals that a significant number of Australian employees are willing to sacrifice salary in exchange for the flexibility of remote work. Out of the 248 Australian participants in the survey, 34 percent expressed a preference for salary cuts to enjoy the benefits of remote work, which is slightly below the global average of 36 percent.
The survey also found that only 10 percent of Australian employees work entirely remotely, with 46 percent working on-site and 41 percent following hybrid arrangements. The willingness to accept reduced pay is driven by the desire for work-life balance and geographical flexibility.
Interestingly, the survey highlighted that only 12 percent of Australians live within 5 kilometers of their workplace, much lower than the global average of 21 percent. Additionally, nearly half of Australian workers cited petrol as their primary commuting cost.
While some employees are open to pay cuts for remote work benefits, others prefer working on-site, especially as companies begin to transition back to full-time office operations. However, those who have experienced remote or hybrid work arrangements during the pandemic find that their home workspaces are conducive to productivity and comfort.
Capterra suggests that companies looking to incentivize employees to return to on-site work should invest in creating modern and comfortable workplaces, involve employees in decision-making processes, and offer benefits that address on-site work challenges. Some popular benefits include free or subsidised food, flexible work schedules, and commuter benefits.
Prior research from the University of South Australia also found that a significant percentage of workers would be willing to accept a pay cut for the flexibility of remote work. The study showed that workers were willing to give up 4 to 8 percent of their annual salary in exchange for the ability to work from home. However, over half of the participants expressed reluctance to sacrifice salary for remote work, citing concerns about productivity and wellbeing.
