Half of Hong Kong Workers Consider Quitting When Returning to Office

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Half of Hong Kong workers said they would consider quitting if their employers demanded long hours in the office instead of offering flexible or remote work options.

On the 27th, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited a survey by Landstar Hong Kong reporting these findings.

Among 751 Hong Kong workers and job seekers surveyed, 51% preferred remote work and said they would leave their company if this condition was not met. This is 14 percentage points higher than the global average for the same question.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents identified remote work as a "non-negotiable" condition. Additionally, older respondents prioritized work-life balance more than younger ones. Half of the Baby Boomer generation said remote work was "non-negotiable," while one-fifth of Millennials and one-third of Generation Z gave similar responses, SCMP added.

Furthermore, two out of three respondents believed that employers are responsible for improving working conditions, such as workforce replenishment and family leave. The top priority for improving work conditions was family leave for all employees, followed by gender pay equality. Also, two out of five respondents said they would refuse employment if the employer’s stance on social and environmental issues conflicted with their own values.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote and work-from-home arrangements have rapidly expanded worldwide, replacing office work. The survey results released on this day are part of a sample survey conducted from October to November last year, targeting 27,000 respondents aged 18 to 67 across more than 30 countries in Europe, South America, North America, and Asia.

Benjamin Elms, Managing Director of Landstar Hong Kong, explained, "Flexibility should be understood not only in terms of where and when employees work but in a more comprehensive way." He added, "Employers can provide greater autonomy so that employees can choose what suits them best according to their professional desires and personal needs." He further noted that through this, companies can secure the best employees who share the same values and feel a sense of belonging.