Hong Kong employees want greater ownership in the new world of work

Hong Kong employees want to keep hold of the many positives of working from home that has become prevalent after the beginning of the pandemic, said Cisco recently.

Working well as a dispersed team (56%), faster decision-making (55%) and increased autonomy (54%) are three main benefits cited by workers surveyed in Hong Kong, according to Cisco’s Workforce of the Future 2020 survey.

Workforce of the Future, a Cisco-commissioned survey of more than 14,000 respondents across 14 markets in Asia Pacific, including more than 1,000 surveyed in Hong Kong, asked office-based employees for their expectations of employers from 2021 onwards. 

Results show that employees see this as a watershed moment, challenging cultural norms around the workplace, the technology company noted.. 

Hybrid workplace an emerging trend for the future
In Hong Kong, an overwhelming majority of 87% of those surveyed want greater ownership in defining how and when they use office space and prefer a blend of office-based and remote work.

Reflecting on the last six months, more than half of Hong Kong’s workers surveyed (57%) now have a greater appreciation of the benefits and challenges of working from home. 

Positive changes were afoot, as 42% of surveyed employees in Hong Kong indicated that leaders showed increased trust in their teams to do their jobs well, Cisco said. 

Employees were better able to balance life around work, with 55% incorporating more exercise into their daily routine, the firm noted, adding that 47% want to continue travelling less and use that time more productively.

Other survey highlights

• If given the chance to be CEO for a day, 76% of employees in Hong Kong would prioritize using innovative technology to improve their services to customers, while 73% would choose embedding effective communication and collaboration.
• For these to happen, 74% of employees believe businesses need to provide the workforce with similar technology at home as in the office. 
• 58% agree that one of the big positives to come from lockdown is proof that employees don’t need to be in the same room to collaborate effectively.
• Hong Kong’s employees believe the 2021 budget priorities for their business should be investing in the technologies that helps them become more productive and effective (36%), improving digital skills training in the workplace (35%) and bringing in technology to make the office a safer space from a health perspective (35%).
• Employees of all ages are also calling for upskilling: 73% think more training on technology and digital skills will be needed for business success in 2021.