Standard Chartered is reportedly planning to permanently offer flexible work options to around 90 percent of its 85,000-strong staff by 2023.

Some form of hybrid work arrangement will be made available to around half of its staff from early 2021 and the program will extend to 75,000 workers in 55 markets by 2023.

«While we have been thinking through the issues around the future workplace for some time, it's inevitable that recent events provided a catalyst,» said Standard Chartered’s human resources head Tanuj Kapilashrami, according to a «Bloomberg» report citing an internal memo. 

In addition to flexible work options, the bank will also provide «near-home» workspaces for staff – in addition to offices, and work-from-home arrangements – with an unnamed third party workspace provider.

Wide Acceptance

According to Standard Chartered, hybrid work is something that has gained widespread acceptance across the bank with about two-thirds of Singapore staff favoring the option. The figures rises with respondents in western locations including 76 percent in the U.K. and 79 percent in the U.S.

«It is anticipated most employees will fall into a hybrid pattern, ie some days in the office and some days working from home,» the bank said.