28 March 2012

Just under three in five UK executives in medium-sized to large businesses would choose greater mobility and flexibility at work over a salary increase and being office-bound, says a new survey.

According to research from TNS, carried out for applications and software firm IFS, nearly 900 executives based in the UK, Germany and Sweden were questioned. The survey found that 69% of UK executives saw mobility as a “very important” factor when joining a company, ahead of other traditional benefits such as a company car.

However, the research also finds that 52% of UK execs currently never work remotely and 33% never leave their desk during the working day.

Alexander Sovré, a director at TNS specialising in IT & telecoms-related research, says: “Flexibility and mobility coupled with modern technology are very important factors, much more so than more traditional perks such as a corner office, a prestigious title or even a higher salary. According to the research, we are looking at a real shift in how people prioritise their working life.”

Dan Matthews, chief technology officer at IFS, adds: “The Mobile Workplace study confirms our long-held belief that people want the freedom to organise their work life in the same way as they do their personal life.”