COMFY COUCH BEATS CUSHY CHEQUE FOR AUSSIE WORKERS

AUSTRALIAN workers are increasingly ditching the big pay cheque in favour of the comfy home office.

A recent poll by Hays says 55 per cent of Aussies are willing to cop a 20 per cent drop in salary just to work from home.

A further 22 per cent would happily lose 10 per cent of their pay if it meant they could work from the sofa.

Nick Deligiannis, from Hays Australia & New Zealand, says the results of the poll stem from an Australian working culture that is hard and fast.

"Australia's hard work culture sees us regularly feature in the list of countries with the longest working weeks in the world," says Deligiannis.

"It isn't surprising that Aussies want to work flexibly in order to improve their work-life balance; even if it means taking a pay cut."

Out of the 8654 people surveyed, only 23 per cent said they would be happy to commute to work if it meant a beefier pay day.

Deligiannis says this is because a long commute is the source of physical and mental exhaustion, and many choose to work from home to eliminate what can be a draining daily experience.

"Working from home, even one or two days a week, can be the make or break of being able to stay in a job," says Deligiannis.

And it is not just the employee who can benefit from a work-at-home option for staff. Employers can see real improvement in worker satisfaction, staff productivity, and even save some money along the way.

"Staff who work from home are more productive, satisfied and motivated to do their best," says Deligiannis. "They also offer a cost saving because they don't take up a desk in the office."

While working in your pyjamas on the couch might seem like a dream job, Deligiannis warns this style of employment might not suit everyone.

"Some home workers feel isolated from their team and colleagues, and it takes self-discipline in order to get through a to-do list rather than take the dog for a walk," he says.

"So if you are easily distracted, need social interaction or cannot ignore domestic tasks, working from home might not be for you."