Hybrid:
Where are the risks hidden in the hype?
Hybrid working now looks like the solution many organisations are seeking to make the most of both office and remote working. Yet, for organisations with a stronger attachment to pre-pandemic ways of working, it is the silent threat they are dreading.
But what does the data say? Are hybrid workers better off than their office-based or remote-based colleagues?
Where are the risks hidden in the hype?
Hybrid working now looks like the solution many organisations are seeking to make the most of both office and remote working. Yet, for organisations with a stronger attachment to pre-pandemic ways of working, it is the silent threat they are dreading.
But what does the data say? Are hybrid workers better off than their office-based or remote-based colleagues?
Where are the risks hidden in the hype?
Hybrid working:
A recent x-ray
‘Hybrid’ is the buzzword of the moment. In the world of work and workplace, there is no shortage of opinions on the potential opportunities and threats of hybrid working, but how is it actually working?
Hybrid working:
A recent x-ray
‘Hybrid’ is the buzzword of the moment. In the world of work and workplace, there is no shortage of opinions on the potential opportunities and threats of hybrid working, but how is it actually working?
Demographic differences
The demographic most likely to work exclusively from home were younger employees with 45% amongst the under 25s and 33% of the 25-34 age group.
Leesman Office and/or Leesman Home Working, N=66,758, Q3/4 2021
Workplace occupancy
37% of the respondents said they are likely to use the workplace for less than a day per week, while 12% indicated a 5-day per week pattern.
Leesman Days in Workplace module, N=23,120, Q3/4 2021
Demographic differences
The demographic most likely to work exclusively from home were younger employees with 45% amongst the under 25s and 33% of the 25-34 age group.
Leesman Office and/or Leesman Home Working, N=66,758, Q3/4 2021
Workplace occupancy
37% of the respondents said they are likely to use the workplace for less than a day per week, while 12% indicated a 5-day per week pattern.
Leesman Days in Workplace module, N=23,120, Q3/4 2021
The hybrid opportunity:
Optimal experience
The biggest opportunity that hybrid working provides is the chance to optimise employees’ experience across the different locations they use for work.
The hybrid opportunity:
Optimal experience
The biggest opportunity that hybrid working provides is the chance to optimise employees’ experience across the different locations they use for work.
The hybrid risks
The hybrid risks
Trust
This trust will need to continue as we’re finding our way in a new hybrid reality, and our data suggests that trust is in fact currently not one of the biggest challenges.
Trust
This trust will need to continue as we’re finding our way in a new hybrid reality, and our data suggests that trust is in fact currently not one of the biggest challenges.
Technology
Hybrid working can only work if the necessary technology infrastructure is in place to support the flow of work across different locations. However our data suggests that technology may not currently be one of the biggest barriers.
Technology
Hybrid working can only work if the necessary technology infrastructure is in place to support the flow of work across different locations. However our data suggests that technology may not currently be one of the biggest barriers.
Health concerns
In the context of a still ongoing pandemic, the decision to work in a hybrid way may be at least in part determined by health concerns about physical proximity to other people.
Health concerns
In the context of a still ongoing pandemic, the decision to work in a hybrid way may be at least in part determined by health concerns about physical proximity to other people.
Commute
In a hybrid future, the commute may be one of the key factors determining an employee’s likelihood of going into the workplace.
Commute
In a hybrid future, the commute may be one of the key factors determining an employee’s likelihood of going into the workplace.
Key considerations
Our analysis of recent hybrid working experience revealed that it can provide a good solution moving forward although it is not free of risks.
You must consider:
1
Some demographic groups
are wary of the office
2
Trust matters greatly but
must be maintained
3
Commuting cannot be
ignored anymore
4
Health concerns are still
on people’s minds
5
Surplus real estate is
a real risk
Key considerations
Our analysis of recent hybrid working experience revealed that it can provide a good solution moving forward although it is not free of risks.
You must consider:
1
Some demographic groups
are wary of the office
2
Trust matters greatly but
must be maintained
3
Commuting cannot be
ignored anymore
4
Health concerns are still
on people’s minds
5
Surplus real estate is
a real risk
Resources
As hybrid continues to dominate the global workforce we have developed tools, solutions and collated
valuable research to help our clients plan their hybrid future.
Talk to our experts and use data to inform your future work strategies.
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