Three in five employers report higher productivity from hybrid work policy

Accenture report also highlights half of Gen Z employees prioritise work-life balance over salary

Paula Neary of Accenture and Club Ireland with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, former Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy, former president of Ireland Mary McAleese, who is a patron of the 30% Club Ireland, at the 30% Club’s CEO and chair event at Dublin Castle where more than 300 corporate leaders launched the new report by Accenture, which calls on business leaders to prioritise ‘Care Economics’ in the workplace.  Picture: Robbie Reynolds

Almost three in five (57%) employers report higher productivity from their employees after introducing hybrid work and flexible care policies, a new report launched on Thursday said.

The report by Accenture for the 30% Club researched 'Care Economics' in the Irish workplace, looking at the economic and workforce benefits of integrating care - childcare, eldercare, and self-care - into corporate policies. It comes at a time when many US organisations are pulling back on initiatives promoting diversity in the workplace. 

It found more than a third (35%) of companies see direct commercial benefits from supporting caregiving responsibilities, with a 68% reduction in absenteeism in workplaces with structured care policies.

“Businesses that invest in care-supportive policies are not just doing the right thing socially — they are making a smart commercial decision. The data is clear: organisations that support their employees’ care responsibilities experience better retention, stronger engagement, and improved workforce productivity. As talent expectations evolve, businesses that fail to act risk losing out on their most valuable asset: people," said 30% Club country executive Gillian Harford.

The report found 71% of employees say work-life balance policies have improved their overall well-being, and those working in organisations with strong policies report 35% lower burnout rates. Employee retention was also increased 31%in organisations that provide eldercare and childcare support.

Three in four (75%) employers say technology has improved employees' ability to balance work and care responsibilities.

The 30% Club is a global campaign focusing on medium and large organisations to achieve better gender balance at leadership levels and throughout organisations. Established in 2015, the Irish Chapter hosts more than 300 organisations representing more than 700,000 employees. The organisation hosted its annual chief executive and chair event in Dublin Castle, which was attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Mr Martin said the Government remains committed to promoting workplace flexibility that benefits both workers and employers.

The research also highlighted that 40% of employees say their organisation does not support working parents, while more than half of employees (52%) believe eldercare is not given the same level of workplace support as childcare.

Almost half (46%) say hybrid work has positively impacted their self-care and work-life balance. Half (50%) of Gen Z employees prioritise work-life balance over salary, making flexibility and well-being key drivers of retention among younger talent.

The report found 42% of millennials report that a poor work-life balance is a leading reason for leaving a job. Anong older workers, 30% of employees aged 50+ feel excluded from flexible work policies, often because of outdated assumptions about their adaptability to remote or hybrid work.

Accenture's Paula Neary said the report shows care responsibilities are "no longer a personal issue — they are a business issue. Retention, engagement, and productivity are all at stake. The research underscores that care policies are not just a cost — they are an investment with clear financial returns. Organisations that act now will position themselves as leaders in workforce sustainability and talent retention.”