It’s time for a reopening of the hybrid working debate as we approach the five-year anniversary of the global lockdown, which forced companies to close offices and their employees to work at home.
Data* shows that despite a rise in the number of businesses implementing return-to-office (RTO), a third of UK hybrid workers would quit their job if work from home days were reduced. Data* revealed that one third of UK hybrid employees would quit their jobs if the number of days they worked from home was reduced. This highlights the long-lasting impact of remote work. The novelty of remote working has worn off, as many employees report video call fatigue, a drop in productivity and privacy concerns.
To truly succeed in this changing workplace model, companies must rethink the way they support hybrid teams. To explore attitudes and experiences of hybrid workers in the workplace, 2,000 UK professionals were surveyed. We have compiled a list of tips to help employers get the most from their hybrid workforces in 2025.
Turn video calls into interactive experiences
Recent research has found that 55% UK workers are suffering from ‘video calling fatigue’. Gen Z workers were the most affected.
More interactivity in video meetings, according to a third of respondents and over half of the younger respondents, could reduce video call fatigue. It’s now time for employers adopt tools that encourage interactivity and engagement. This will transform routine meetings into dynamic experiences. Businesses can improve team cohesion by addressing employee burnout.
To accommodate the short attention spans of modern professionals and to manage their busy workdays, companies should prioritise video meetings that are focused on a few key points.
Increase employee engagement to increase productivity
Only 23% of UK workers think that they are more productive in the office. Only 23% of UK workers believe they are more productive working at home.
Engagement of employees is the key to increasing productivity. Employers need to create collaborative environments that encourage employees to feel motivated and connected.
The first step that companies can take is to embrace technology to bridge the gap between remote and in-person workers. Yet, our data shows that 27% feel their company doesn’t offer them the employee engagement or communication tech they need to do their job effectively at home.
The right technological tools can boost teamwork, encourage participation and enhance learning and collaboration, helping employees to stay engaged and in line with the company’s goals.
Promote a culture that is based on trust and inclusion
Over a third (35%) of hybrid workers think their colleagues are less productive when they work from home. Boomers were the most skeptical about the productivity of their colleagues.
Employees can lose touch with each other due to dispersed or hybrid workforces. Fostering trust in this situation is crucial. Transparent communication, clear metrics of performance, and inclusive team building efforts that benefit in-office workers and remote workers are essential to changing these perceptions and improving workplace harmony. Employers must also make sure hybrid models offer equal access to digital tools, resources and development opportunities for both frontline workers and remote workers.
The Road Ahead
Businesses must adapt to the hybrid workforce as the remote work model created by the pandemic is nearing its end. This means that they can now accommodate employees who are able to work from home or in the office. The hybrid working model will continue to be popular, thanks to Gen Z. Gen Z is expected to account for a third in the workforce by 2025. To succeed in the hybrid workplace of 2025, employers must focus on trust, engagement and interactivity. This will create a highly-productive and connected workforce.
*Research from Kahoot
