State of Hybrid Work

State of hybrid work 2024

You've probably heard the term “hybrid work” floating around a lot lately. But what exactly is it? In short, hybrid work is a combination of working remotely and working in an office. This can mean anything from working from home a few days a week to going into the office a few days a week. By definition, the key characteristic of hybrid work, is that it offers flexibility and choice when it comes to where and how you work. 

Where does Hybrid Work come From?

The concept of hybrid work gained traction in the early 2010s as more and more companies began to adopt remote work policies. Something also happened that would change the landscape of work forever: messaging platforms that allow coworkers to communicate with each other in real-time, regardless of location.

The 2010s : The emerging trend of nomadic workers and the shifting of social norms

With this technological advances, that have made remote work more feasible than ever before, we were already starting to see new trends emerge in the last decade. One of the most notable is the rise of “nomadic workers” people who don't have a physical office space but instead move around constantly, often working from different coworking spaces or even coffee shops.

Since then, there has been a growing shift in social norms regarding remote workers, telecommuting and flexible work arrangements. In the past, working from home or remote was typically seen as less productive or less professional than working in an office setting. But that perception had already slowly started to change.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Boosts Hybrid Work's Popularity

While the concept of hybrid work was already gaining momentum prior to 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 acted as a catalyst that propelled the trend into the mainstream. Overnight, millions of workers were thrust into remote work arrangements out of necessity, with many companies requiring their employees to work from home until further notice.

The great resignation

The pandemic has changed the way we see work—perhaps permanently. Even more telling, 36% said they would leave their current job if it meant they could continue working remotely. On top of that, the pandemic has sparked a major shift in how we consider work-life balance and reflect on our jobs and purpose within a company. 

As a result, one of the most notable trends that have emerged in recent months is ”the great resignation.” This refers to the growing number of employees who are resigning from their jobs, often without another job lined up.

The reasons for this are varied, but many workers are simply tired of the stresses and demands of their jobs. The pandemic has made it clear that many employers are not doing enough to support their employees, and this has led to a loss of trust and loyalty. In some cases, workers are also resigning because they feel they can no longer tolerate the toxic and inflexible workplace culture that has been allowed to develop in recent years. Inflexibility? That's where hybrid work comes in.

The rising of hybrid work

The sudden transition to a full remote workplace has been difficult for many; not everyone has the setup or temperament for working from home full-time, resulting in many workers wishing to be able to go back to the office.

That means companies need to start thinking about how to best accommodate their employees' new work habits and create an attractive on-site workplace for them to feel comfortable and safe. Not mentioning a possible proactive intent to promote a come back to the office that can help maintain the company culture.

In the wake of the pandemic and a mindset-shift in the world of working, new working models and policies started to become the new normal for many businesses. But as we move into 2024, it's becoming clear that this was just the beginning of a much bigger shift in our way of working; hybrid work policy arrangements are redefining a way to mix both of remote and on-site cultures and are definitely here to stay.  

But how can employers support employees who want to continue working remotely, while also maintaining a productive and cohesive workplace for those who prefer to come back to the office? And what are the challenges that they really face and how to help solve them?

The Challenges and benefits of Making the Switch to Hybrid Work 

While there are many potential benefits to adopting a hybrid work arrangement, there are also some challenges that companies need to be aware of.

Ressources

One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that all employees have access to the same resources and information, regardless of where they are working from. This can be difficult to manage, especially for companies with a large workforce.

Legal implications

Finally, employers need to be mindful of the different legal implications that come with having employees in different states or countries. There are a number of compliance issues that need to be considered, such as tax laws and employment regulations.

Define clear policies

Finally, managing expectations is key when implementing a hybrid model. Employees need to know what is expected of them in terms of hours worked and deliverables expected. Managers also need to be clear about how they will be measuring success under this new arrangement. 

Maintaining and adapting the company culture 

Another challenge is clearly maintaining a healthy company culture when employees are spread out across different locations. It's important for employers to find ways to keep their employees connected and engaged, even when they're not in the same physical space.

The Benefits of Hybrid Work 

More Flexibility

There are plenty of reasons why companies are interested in implementing hybrid work policies. For one thing, hybrid models allow for greater flexibility when it comes to where and how employees can work. This is especially beneficial for parents or caretakers who need to be able to adjust their schedules on short notice.

Increased Productivity

Studies have also shown that employees who have flexible working arrangements are more productive and engaged than those who don't.

In fact, a recent study by Harvard Business School found that employees who worked from home were 13% more productive than those who worked in an office. 

Sustainability

Additionally, hybrid work is more sustainable in the long run; it can help reduce your company's carbon footprint by cutting down on commuting time and office space needs.  

Lower stress

In addition, employees who have a hybrid work arrangement often report lower levels of stress. This is likely due to the fact that they have more control over their environment and can take breaks when they require them.

Improved work/life balance:

Another advantage of hybrid work is that it can lead to an improved work/life balance for employees. With a hybrid model, employees can better manage their time so that they can prioritize their personal life outside work hours. This can lead to happier, healthier employees who are less likely to experience burnout. 

Increased morale and engagement:

Hybrid work can also lead to increased morale and engagement among employees. When employees feel like they have a good work/life balance, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and have a positive attitude towards their company. This can lead to improved performance and decreased turnover rates. 

Reducing costs

Another key reason why hybrid work is on the rise is that it can help organizations save money. For example, if an organization has a large office space that is only being used by a small percentage of employees, they may choose to downsize their office. This can lead to significant cost savings for the company. 

Employee retention

Additionally, hybrid models make it easier for companies to attract and retain top talent, regardless of location, as more and more people are looking for jobs with flexible arrangements. With more and more workers wanting the flexibility to work remotely, companies that offer hybrid work arrangements will have a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting.

New Trends in Hybrid Work

There are a few new trends that are emerging in the world of hybrid work: 

1) Increased use of collaboration tools: With more employees working remotely, there is an increased need for collaboration tools that allow team members to communicate and collaborate effectively no matter where they are located. Some popular collaboration tools include Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Hangouts.

2) Rise of flexible workspaces: Flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly popular, as they provide employees with access to workspaces when they need it without the commitment of a traditional work model. Hot desking, Flex desk and desk booking solutions are on the rise as they enable simple management of space while even allowing to save budget on office expenses.

3) New job roles: With the rise of hybrid work, we are also seeing the emergence of new job roles that are specifically designed for this type of work arrangement. For example, some companies are now hiring "remote work coordinators" who help manage the remote workers and ensure that they are productive and engaged. 

4) Increased focus on data security: As more companies allow their employees to work remotely, they are also placing a greater emphasis on security. This is because they need to ensure that their data and systems are secure, especially if sensitive information is being shared. Therefore, we are seeing a rise in the use of VPNs and other security technologies.

5) Employee engagement & satisfaction: As more companies adopt hybrid work models, they are also placing a greater emphasis on employee engagement and satisfaction. Engaged employees are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and produce high-quality work. A company that values employee engagement will see positive results in both morale and productivity.

Engagement and Culture in times of hybrid work

Hybrid Work Culture

Company culture is often seen as the “personality” of an organization. It's shaped by the values, beliefs, and behaviors of the people who work there. But culture is more than just a set of values or a mission statement. It's also the day-to-day experiences that employees have at work.

From how they're onboarded and trained, to how they're recognized and rewarded, to how they're managed and developed, every aspect of employee experience contributes to company culture.

And when those experiences are aligned with the organization's values and mission, they can help reinforce and strengthen culture.

That's why it's so important for companies to consciously design their employee experience to reflect the kind of culture they want to create. By thoughtfully considering every touchpoint and deliberately crafting each interaction, companies can create a culture that is intentional, cohesive, and engaging for employees.

A hybrid work culture is just its direct extension, applied to a flexible environment, regardless of the location, and combines the best aspects of both remote and in-office work cultures.

In order to foster a hybrid work culture, employers need to provide employees with the support they need to be successful both in and out of the office. This might include investing in remote working technology, like video conferencing software, and ensuring that employees have a dedicated workspace at home, but also offering a better workplace on-site experience, at the office.

Furthermore, employers should encourage employees to take advantage of the flexibility that a hybrid work culture offers. For instance, they might allow employees to set their own hybrid schedules and decide where they want to work from to help suit existing personal or family commitments. By creating a hybrid work culture, employers can give their employees the best of both worlds and foster employee engagement.

Why Employee Engagement Matters in a Hybrid Work Culture

Employee engagement is a relatively new concept in the business world, but it is quickly gaining popularity as a key metric for evaluating company culture.

In fact, engaged employees are more likely to be productive and motivated, and they often have a better sense of what is happening in the workplace, on which every company culture relies.

For companies with remote employees, engagement can be measured by how often employees come to the office or participate in company events.

For on-site employees, engagement can be monitored through satisfaction surveys or other feedback mechanisms.

Regardless of how it is measured, employee engagement is critical to ensuring a positive and productive work environment. In the end, it's again all about creating a workplace experience where employees feel empowered.

Improving Employee Engagement in an Hybrid Work Company

Besides the fact employees need to feel like their work is meaningful and that they're contributing to the company's overall success, there are a few other key things that contribute to employee engagement.

First, take a close look at your company culture and see if there are any areas that could use improvement. Are your employees given the opportunity to provide feedback? Do they have access to the resources and spaces they need to do their jobs effectively?

If not, make changes!

1. Feedback culture: Try to create an environment where open communication is encouraged and employees feel like their voices are heard.
2. Monitoring and insights: Monitor their needs in terms of satisfaction using surveys and mood board, but also in terms of resources by analyzing their use of the office space.
3. Consider offering flexible work arrangements—such as remote work or flexible hours—as these can go a long way in making your employees feel appreciated and valued. 

Conclusion: 

As we continue to adapt to the "new normal" brought about by COVID-19, it's clear that hybrid work arrangements are here to stay—at least for the foreseeable future. For many workers, this is good news; it means they no longer have to choose between enjoying the flexibility of remote work and the social interaction that comes with working in an office setting.

If hybrid work bring some challenges along the way, it also has many benefits that can help companies get serious competitive advantages in terms of talent retention and management.

By focusing on retention, culture, communication and engagement, companies can ensure to leverage the use of a hybrid work policy.

But be being patient can be key: creating an effective hybrid work policy requires careful planning and long-term execution; it's not done overnight and also need an adequate company culture and the matching technology.

‍