Hybrid work might not be as detrimental as some employers think. Earlier this year, a study by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom revealed that employees working remotely from home two days per week are just as productive, just as likely to get promoted, and far less prone to quit compared to their in-office colleagues.
A new survey by International Workplace Group PLC, a large provider of hybrid working solutions with brands that include Spaces and Regus, reinforces those findings — indicating that 42% of hybrid workers cited work-life balance as the primary benefit of hybrid work, which in turn reduces burnout and improves retention. On the other hand, only 7% of hybrid workers described their hybrid work experience in 2024 as trusted, reflecting recent headlines about return-to-office policy reversals and employee monitoring.
“There is a clear correlation between employees feeling trusted and empowered at work and their happiness, loyalty, and even productivity,” Mark Dixon, CEO and founder of IWG, said in a statement. “At the end of the day, productivity is about good management, not place, and the latest academic studies from Stanford University and other esteemed academic institutions clearly reflect this.”
Meanwhile, a short commute in which workers remain in their local neighborhoods is increasingly sought after, according to the survey, while super commuting and coffee badging have fallen out of favor.
“By cutting down on regular lengthy and costly commutes to city centers, employees are better able to achieve work-life balance, which can help to improve wellbeing and counteract burnout,” Fatima Koning, IWG’s chief commercial officer, said. “The increased flexibility of hybrid work provides numerous benefits, including time, stress, and cost savings. It also levels the playing field for women and those with disabilities, and supports caregivers, making it a powerful tool for obtaining and keeping talent.”
Related: ‘We are not going back to the office’: Tech drives remote, global workforce trend
The future of hybrid work
IWG’s survey indicates work-life balance will continue to be critical, especially as Gen Zers and millennials become a more significant percentage of the workforce. When asked which phrases best represent the future of work, U.S. hybrid workers’ top choices centered around flexibility.
More than half (53%) cited the importance of “flex hours,” a trend in which employees may not have set hours but instead work on a schedule that best fits their unique needs; and two in five (40%) favored the “32-hour work week,” or a shift from the traditional 40-hour work week to reduced working hours.
“Forward-looking leaders are adapting their mindsets — and policies — to not only evolving needs of their business but also the expectations of today’s workforce,” Dixon said. “Those who fail to foster trust by empowering their teams and offering employees flexibility increasingly risk losing out on the best talent.”
