The big return to the office remains unlikely for Swiss professionals

Even if many managers wish otherwise: The home office is here to stay. In an interview with the NZZ on Sunday the Chief Operating Officer of Swiss Re, Andreas Berger, emphasized that he would like to see more presence in the workplace. For many Swiss Re employees and managers, presence is limited to the middle of the week. "It should be clear to everyone: The week starts on Monday and ends on Friday," says Berger. The statement is suggestive: Actually, the home office is over. However, the latest salary survey by Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters shows that teleworking is no longer just a temporary solution, but remains firmly anchored in the workplace culture.

Why flexibility is important for employees  

For employees, flexibility is non-negotiable. Almost half (46 %) of employees would look for new opportunities if flexible working hours or hybrid working arrangements were abolished. A further 24 % would consider changing jobs depending on other factors such as salary or benefits. This shows that flexibility is a key factor in both job satisfaction and retention.  

In addition, 43 % of Swiss professionals cited a better work-life balance as one of the main reasons for seeking new opportunities in 2025. "Remote and hybrid forms of work play an important role in improving work-life balance, a key factor in the job satisfaction of today's employees," explains Christian.  

Employers are listening  

Interestingly, employers agree with these views. A remarkable 63 % of companies consider flexible working arrangements to be one of their most effective employee retention strategies. This reflects the growing realization that a motivated workforce requires not only competitive salaries, but also adaptable work policies.  

Christian adds: "Our survey also found that 78 % of employers plan to maintain their current teleworking measures in 2025, while 7 % even intend to expand these options. Companies are aware of the risks of reducing flexibility and the potential negative impact on employee retention."  

The challenges of hybrid work  

However, hybrid working also brings challenges. Employers frequently cite issues such as managing team dynamics and culture (44 %), difficulties with communication and collaboration (41 %) and monitoring employee performance and productivity (37 %). Employee engagement challenges and technology/infrastructure issues were identified but were less common.  

"Interestingly, a quarter of employers reported no significant issues with hybrid working, suggesting that the model is already working well for many if the right systems and practices are in place," said Christian.

Flexibility in the year 2025   

The survey results clearly show that both employees and employers recognize the value of flexible working arrangements, albeit for different reasons. For employees, it's about work-life balance and autonomy. For employers, it's about retaining top talent in a competitive market.   

"This alignment offers companies the opportunity to refine their hybrid models and overcome challenges while benefiting from flexible working arrangements. The stage is set for a more balanced, productive and engaged workforce," concludes Christian.    

Source: www.robertwalters.ch