Survey: Workers would take pay cuts for sake of climate change and flexible working

• 28% of workers willing to take a 10% pay cut to work for employer committed to helping solve societal issues such as climate change and inequality
• Almost a third would take 10% pay cut to work for employer embracing flexible working
• 64% of workers expect to be able to work more flexibly with more convenient hours and tools to work remotely
• 65% of respondents believe employers will use automated technology to increase profits and cut jobs

Dublin, 25th October 2019 – New research by Ricoh Europe has today revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of European workers would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to work for an employer that is committed to helping solve issues such as climate change and inequality.

The study of 3,000 European workers found that two thirds (65%) of workers expect their employers to be part of the solution for such societal issues, while 63% say employers should harness profitability gains from automation technology to re-invest in its people and community.

Almost a third (32%) of European workers also revealed they would be willing to take a 10% pay cut to work for an employer that embraces more flexible working. Furthermore, 64% revealed that they expect to be able to work more flexibly with more convenient hours and the tools to work remotely.

The research found that more than three quarters (78%) believe their employer should provide the tools they need to work with colleagues, regardless of their location. Seventy-four per cent say that as technology improves to automate tasks, employers need to empower workers to achieve a better work/life balance.

However, the majority of workers are sceptical of their employer’s intentions. Sixty-five per cent believe their employers will use automated technology to increase profits and cut jobs. Respondents also predicted that the workforce as they know it will drastically change with 34% expecting to work collaboratively with robots or Artificial Intelligence in the next five years.

Gary Hopwood, Managing Director, Ricoh Ireland, said: “Technology is shaping how and where people work with sustainability, collaboration and agility taking precedence. For employees, the onus is on employers to leverage the new tools available to make a positive difference both in work and in the wider community.

“Employers need to embrace this to make a real difference in society and for their people, whilst remembering that human workers are absolutely crucial within the workplace of the future. After all, working together is the only way of tackling the major issues that the world is currently facing."

“Moreover, business owners need to realise the potential benefits of adopting an eco-friendly approach that takes advantage of automation and also empowers people, such as increased productivity and talent retention. Technology has the power to support workers not only in terms of productivity and flexibility but also for more valuable and fulfilling work.”

About the research: 3,000 office workers were polled between 30 August and 5 September 2019 by Opinium Research LLC. 

About the Future of Work report: The Future of Work report analyses more than 100 sources, to bring together the best-in-class thinking and use cases on how work will shape employment. It finds that technology will fuel new modes of collaboration between humans, human and machines and machines with other machines (automation). Learn more about the importance of putting sustainability and people first in the Future of Work by downloading the full report here.