Research proves that hybrid working is better for employees and companies

Research now proves that hybrid working, where you spend some time working from elsewhere and the rest of the time in the office, is working.

The world saw the biggest workplace shift since the industrial revolution over the past three years with the introduction of hybrid and remote work options as a result of the Covid pandemic lockdowns.

However, since returning to office last year, the jury has been out on whether this kind of working will actually work, with most insights anecdotal about whether these changes would prove to have been temporary or whether they would become a permanent feature.

After a year of global surveys and substantial research, there is now sufficient evidence for employers to make an informed decision, as the data unequivocally proves that hybrid workplace solutions work.

“Two of the key data points that emerged in the past year are that hybrid workers report better mental health and personal wellbeing and that they are more productive,” says Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at Jack Hammer Global.

These findings show that hybrid workers perform better and are also more engaged and personally fulfilled. This is a winning combination underpinning successful organisations. Employers who continue to push for people to return to the office should pause to reconsider, she says.

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Experimenting and arm-wrestling

“Over the past year, there was a lot of experimenting and a little arm-wrestling between management and employees about what constitutes a fair return-to-office policy. In April last year, we warned companies against unilaterally demanding a return to work for all employees, who were often given very little time to make the transition. Now, quantitative and qualitative evidence from South Africa and globally overwhelmingly shows that was the right call at the time.”

Naidoo says given the harsh economic circumstances and threats of continued job cuts, companies might erroneously feel that employees have little choice should management call for a return to the office.

“Unfortunately, we witnessed some companies here and abroad losing touch with workers and taking them for granted in a distinct move away from the support and connection that was established during the lockdowns.”

While it may be true that employees feel vulnerable and in a precarious position given global economic turmoil and uncertainty, leaders must not think that, just because workers are toeing the line, that they support decisions handed down without their buy-in, Naidoo says.

The research shows that employees prefer hybrid, flexible work solutions and do better if they have this choice. “Indeed, our insights show that this is even more favourable to most than a four-day workweek that requires employees to be fully back at the office.”

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Insights into global hybrid work arrangements

These recent global surveys provide great insights into flexible work arrangements:

• A Mercer survey of 800 HR leaders reported that 94% found staff at their companies were more or equally productive working remotely compared to working in the office.
• A two-year survey by Great Place to Work of more than 800 000 employees showed that the shift to working remotely during the pandemic boosted worker productivity by an average of 6%.
• Envoy, a US-based workplace-tech organisation, found that 82% of organisations surveyed have a hybrid work policy and that 71% of employees preferred going into the office in the middle of the week.
• The largest recent employee wellbeing survey, conducted by Vitality in the UK (Britain’s Healthiest Workplace), found that hybrid employees have the lowest loss of productive days.
• Survey data of 1 100 corporate executives across several industries around the globe, including 24% from the US, revealed that the return-to-office mandates of companies such as Amazon, Disney and Starbucks represent the exception and not the rule. Only 3% of US CEOs indicated they would decrease the availability of remote work in their companies.

Naidoo says with all of this hard data, it is surprising that companies still question the commercial merit of flexible work options.

“What is evident is that old habits die hard and many managers would prefer that all staff are at the office. This presents a huge competitive advantage and opportunity to those leaders and organisations who have embraced hybrid work solutions, as they will continue to lead the race for top talent.”