As organizations around the world make plans for their people to return to the workplace, the latest research report from Accenture finds that 61% of Canadians prefer a hybrid or remote work model.

The research report encompassing 9,326 workers in 11 countries titled, “The Future of Work: Productive Anywhere,” found that while 37% of workers in Canada feel they can be productive and healthy primarily while working remotely, another 41% feel they can be productive and healthy anywhere, either fully remote or onsite or a combination of the two ─ as the hybrid workplace emerges.

Globally, 85% of people who say they can be productive and healthy anywhere also say they plan to stay with their company for a long time. However, finding a hybrid model that works for all generations may be a challenge: three in four Gen Zers (74%) want more opportunities to collaborate with colleagues face-to-face, a higher percentage than Gen Xers (66%) and Baby Boomers (68%).

Surprisingly, while the global research found 42% of people thriving, only 26% Canadians identified as thriving, showcasing less optimism and more fatigue in their workforces compared with their peers globally.  About a quarter (28%) of Canadians feel their companies are meeting their emotional health needs (compared to 36% globally), and only 26% say their companies are meeting their physical health needs (compared to 34% globally).

The report uncovered that what separates those Canadian workers who are productive anywhere (41%) from those who are disconnected and frustrated (11%), is not stress, but whether they have the right resources on an individual and organizational level to help them be productive anywhere. These resources range from job autonomy and positive mental health to supportive leadership and a digitally mature organization.

Further, organizations that enable a resilient workforce to be more productive and healthier anywhere are also reaping financial benefits: 56% of high revenue growth companies in Canada have already enabled productivity anywhere workforce models.