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The Challenges and Changes That Hybrid Work Has Brought in 2023

February 2, 2023

By Emily Fioravante, courtesy SBAM Approved Partner ASE

ASE’s 2022 Post-Pandemic Remote Work Survey, released in November of last year, found that most companies that call for in-person work require two to three days to be onsite. Many companies have been flexible in that approach, allowing employees to decide on which days they want to work from home and which days they want to work onsite.

According to new data from WFH Research, observed from June-November 2022, Friday ranks as the most popular day to work from home, followed closely by Thursday, while Wednesday is the most common day to be in the office.   Work patterns continue to change nearly three years into the pandemic.

Although office occupancy rates have risen significantly, they are still nowhere near pre-pandemic norms in most of the country. In many big cities, such as San Francisco, Austin, New York City, and Chicago, offices are still empty more than half the time.  Bloomberg completed a poll that found workers do crave some face-to-face interaction and prefer to be onsite two days per week, whereas managers prefer three days per week.

What has been discovered this past year is that blanket statements are difficult to make and that decisions must be made depending on the individual.  For example, on a team, a new worker may need to be onsite more than a worker with many years of experience. This is one of the many reasons why companies are facing challenges when making decisions to fit individual teams.

In addition, Pew Research Center states that by 2025, generational shifts will force about 75% of organizations to modify their hybrid work strategies to meet the demands for flexibility. In order to adjust to this way of work, companies must keep it in mind when it comes to hiring practices.  One tip, according to Forbes, is to mention the option of hybrid work with applicants during the initial interview.  Based on numerous worldwide polls and surveys, it is a sought-after perk.  This will, of course, vary from company to company, but it something to keep in mind when looking to attract talent.

Fortunately for those who prefer hybrid work, new research from the University of Birmingham has shown that managerial views on the topic have loosened as a result of the pandemic.  The research team surveyed 597 UK managers from a wide variety of industries and company sizes.

Of the managers surveyed:

  • 52% agreed that working from home improves concentration
  • 60% believe it improves productivity, and 63% stated it increases motivation
  • 73% felt that giving employees flexibility over their working hours increased productivity, while 60% said the same for working from home
  • 55% said roles would be advertised as available for flexible working, compared with 50% reporting this in 2020
  • 90% of managers said that mentioning the availability of flexible working in job advertisements would make them more attractive to candidates

Managers are starting to recognize that giving employees more control over when and where they work can lead to better performance.  This data also indicates that companies are becoming more open to the idea of flexible working and are beginning to see it as a long-term solution.

Sources: Forbes.com; Bloomberg.com; WashingtonPost.com; PewResearch.org

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