Half of Gen Z say they would quit their jobs if forced to go to the office three days a week instead of WFH, survey reveals

Half of young workers say they would quit their jobs if they were forced into the office more than three days a week, according to a new survey.

The poll found growing demands for flexible working, particularly among younger generations, as ministers met trade union leaders and business groups to discuss plans for a dramatic expansion of workers rights.

Four in ten (39 per cent) of the 2,000 desk-based employees questioned said they would resign if they were told to give up working from home more than three days a week.

But among Gen Z - 16 to 24-year-olds - the proportion prepared to quit rose to half (49 per cent).

Half of young workers say they would quit their jobs if they were forced into the office more than three days a week, according to a new survey (stock)

A similar number of young workers (52 per cent) believe that going in to the office is a waste of their time and money, the research by HR software firm Personio found.

And of the 1,000 HR managers questioned, more than half (56 per cent) admitted their staff have been reluctant to get back to their desks since Covid restrictions ended.

Lenke Taylor, chief people officer at Personio, said: Theres no doubt that businesses have a lot on their plates - not only are they managing the return to office debate, but the new workplace laws proposed by Labour will also put significant pressure on businesses to re-think their policies.

Four in ten (39 per cent) of the 2,000 desk-based employees questioned said they would resign if they were told to give up working from home more than three days a week (stock) 

It came as Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner held a meeting with six union leaders and eight representatives of business groups.

They discussed Labours drive to end exploitative zero-hours contracts as part of its plan to expand employment rights.

Other measures, which have caused alarm among some bosses, will mean staff can demand flexible hours from day one in a new job as well as the right to switch off in evenings and weekends.