SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - Work-from-home fatigue is growing, and employees want more balance in their working patterns with the office re-emerging as the primary place of work post-pandemic, according to a survey of 1,500 office workers across the Asia Pacific. (See also: IWG rides pandemic-led demand for flexible working)

The survey shows that 68% of the respondents wish to work in a hybrid model, having the flexibility to switch between the office, home and a third-party location. This is a drop in preference compared to a similar survey done in October 2020, where 74% of respondents indicated a preference for a hybrid model.

The survey also indicates that the appetite for working in the office post-pandemic has grown to three days a week, compared to two days in a similar survey JLL conducted last year. About 60% of respondents believe they are more productive in the office than at home, compared to 54% a year ago.

“People crave the social interaction and professional work environment that the office provides. One in two employees miss face-to-face collaboration with colleagues, as well as access to efficient infrastructure, including good Internet connectivity, ergonomic workstations and collaboration areas,” says Anthony Couse, CEO, at JLL Asia Pacific.

He adds that working from home in the long run makes people feel that they are unable to disconnect properly from work, and this has taken a social and mental toll for some.

“As we start to navigate out of the pandemic, companies have an opportunity to leverage their physical office spaces to become more human-centric in supporting the employees’ diverse, evolving needs and working styles,” says Kamya Miglani, director, work dynamics research, at JLL Asia Pacific.