New research from recruitment firm Hays Ireland reveals that 51% of Irish employees would not accept a job that did not offer hybrid working.
Hays Ireland said its Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide 2025 findings reflect a clear preference for hybrid working models and shows the lengths employees are willing to go to maintain this flexibility.
46% of workers actually said they would be willing to accept a lower salary for a role that was fully remote, it noted.
Hays said that work-life balance continues to be a major priority for Irish employees, with 61% stating they are satisfied with their work-life balance.
A further 12% said they were very satisfied but 26% suggested they were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied.
Today's survey shows that despite the ongoing efforts to foster a healthier work-life balance, 26% of employees changed job in the past year, with a better work-life balance being their primary motivator.
Flexible working hours and shorter commutes were cited by employees as key factors in improving this balance.
Today's survey also shows that 45% of employees are working on a hybrid model, while 40% are fully office based.
55% of Irish organisations require staff to be in the office at least two or three times per week minimum, while only 18% offer flexible formats where employees choose how many days a week they want to work from home versus on site.
The report also highlights the strong commitment of Irish employers to meet the demand for hybrid working and improve work-life balance.
It noted that 47% of organisations believe that hybrid working has contributed to higher employee retention; with 74% of employers anticipating that hybrid working will stay the same in the next 12 months.
Managing Director of Hays Ireland, Maureen Lynch, said that as work-life balance takes on a renewed importance amongst Irish-based employees, today's research suggests a growing disconnect between the workplace expectations amongst bosses and workers.
"With over half of Irish employees prioritizing hybrid work options, their position is clear - many employees no longer see hybrid working as a perk but instead they see it an expectation," she said.
"However, employers appear less convinced by this way of working. Many prominent blue-chips are encouraging their employees to come back into the office either four or five days a week. However, they must balance this against their recruitment and retention goals, and the expectations of those that they are looking to attract," Ms Lynch said.
"Overall, this shift amongst employees reflects a broader desire for work-life balance, as employees prioritise roles that allow for autonomy over where and how they work," she stated.
"As organisations adapt to meet these demands, Ireland's workplace landscape is transforming, signalling a future where flexibility, well-being, and job satisfaction are essential pillars of a thriving workforce," she added.
