Return to Work Survey Reveals Potential Staffing Crisis for Scottish Firms

The results of the Livingston James Group Return to Work survey have revealed that organisations across Scotland could face significant staffing challenges should they be unable to meet the needs of employees post-lockdown.

We surveyed over 500 of our contacts, 78.5% employed in the private sector, 11.2% in the public sector, and 10.3% in not for profit to gauge their views on returning to work safely, their preferred working model, and productivity when working from home.

84.4% of our survey respondents answered ‘yes’ (51.9%) or ‘maybe’ (32.3%) when asked if they would consider looking for a new role if their current employer was unable to offer their preferred return to work model.

When asked which return to work model they would prefer, 74.1% of respondents selected an office/home working hybrid, 19.3% selected working from home full time, with just 6.6% choosing to return to the office on a full-time basis.  Just 34% of respondents agreed that they felt ‘very confident’ about returning to the workplace safely as lockdown eases.

The survey also revealed that 44.2% of those surveyed felt working at home during the pandemic had allowed them to be more productive at work.

Founder and CEO of Livingston James Group, Jamie Livingston, commented; “Our Return to Work survey findings reveal that firms across the country are facing a real challenge when it comes to creating a workplace that feels safe and welcoming to employees whilst also catering to their preferred working model.

“There are some businesses that may feel unable to offer a hybrid home/office work model that could result in significant employee attrition.

“At a time when talent is thin on the ground in many areas, particularly in the technology sector and in next generation leaders in general, organisations need to think long and hard about how to manage the talent pipeline, holding on to current staff whilst also attracting new talent.”

For a confidential discussion around your executive search and talent advisory needs, please contact [email protected]

You can view the full survey results here.