Standard Chartered has unveiled its plan to permanently move to flexible working modes from next year, indicating long-term changes triggered by the Covid-19 crisis.
The lender aims to provide 90% of its 85,000 employees flexible work options over the next three years.
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By 2023, Standard Chartered expects its flexible work programme to apply to nearly 75,000 employees across 55 markets, worldwide.
Moreover, the London-based bank is also in discussions with an unnamed third-party workspace provider to provide “near-home” workspaces.
This plan comes after Standard Chartered surveyed its employees in the UK and Asian hubs.
The survey asked employees to choose from work from office, work from home or near-home, or split their time between different venues (hybrid).
Nearly 60% of the surveyed employees said they want some form of hybrid work. In Singapore, two-thirds of staff were in favour of the same.
Additionally, in the UK, 75% agreed to hybrid working while the figure rose to 79% in the US.
In a statement, the bank said: “It is anticipated most employees will fall into a hybrid pattern, i.e. some days in the office and some days working from home.”
Starting early 2021, nearly half of the bank’s employees can apply for hybrid work modes.
Recently, Standard Chartered CFO Andy Halford said that “the word ‘office’ will become bit of a thing of the past.”
In a memo seen by Bloomberg News, Standard Chartered head of human resources Tanuj Kapilashrami said: “While we have been thinking through the issues around future workplace for some time, it is inevitable that recent events provided a catalyst.”
Back in June 2020, Standard Chartered adopted a new way of working by launching its first virtual internship programme.
