Nearly 8 in 10 Gen Z workers in HK prefer hybrid working

A lack of flexible arrangement made 30% workers leave their previous jobs.

About 78% of Gen Z workers in Hong Kong prefer hybrid working over commuting to an office daily, according to a survey by the International Workplace Group (IWG).

“Gen Z is expecting to take up 27% of the workforce by 2025, and the rising demand for choice, flexibility and balance amongst today’s youngest professionals are emphasisng a universal shift in workplace expectations,” the report said.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 Gen Z workers in Hong Kong, revealed that 69% believe spending two to three days a week in the office optimises productivity. This preference reflects their desire for balance between flexible remote work and the office's collaborative environment, reducing the need for daily commuting.

Flexibility in where and how they work is crucial for Gen Z, with 74% preferring to work outside their homes. Amongst them, 37% favour professional flexible workspaces when not in the office, citing the need for a productive environment that home settings often lack, whilst still allowing for in-person interaction with colleagues.

A separate IWG study showed that hybrid workers reported improved overall well-being, a sentiment echoed by 73% of Gen Z workers in the survey, who experienced little to no stress in a hybrid work model. Additionally, 68% said hybrid work positively impacted their mental health, and 63% reported minimal work-related anxiety.

The survey also underscored the importance of flexibility for Gen Z’s career choices. The availability of hybrid work options significantly influences their decisions to pursue job opportunities (55%), accept job offers (53%), and remain in their current positions (54%). 

This emphasis on flexibility is particularly relevant in Hong Kong, where 79% of companies struggle to fill roles due to a talent mismatch.

IWG noted that a lack of hybrid arrangements was a key reason Gen Z workers left previous jobs, with 30% citing this as their primary motivation. The findings align with Workmonitor’s research, which revealed that four in 10 workers would reject job offers lacking flexibility, and three in five would turn down roles that negatively impacted their work-life balance.

In today’s competitive talent landscape, adopting hybrid work models is increasingly seen as essential for attracting and retaining top talent, IWG noted.