According to research, spending three days per week at the office is the best hybrid working arrangement in terms of both performance and cultural outcomes.
The study analysed 1,400 full-time desk-based employees’ experiences and found that those who work from their office for three consecutive days are more likely to have career development discussions with their supervisors, as well as generate new ideas.
Those who have been present for at least four days are better able to make quick decisions in the face of challenges or opportunities. They’re also more likely to agree that the decision-making procedure is clear.
The research by Ipsos Karian and Box on employee engagement found that 67 percent (of the full-time desk-based employees) spend at least three working days per week at the workplace.
Two out of five are full-time workers in offices.
Only 50 percent of respondents were committed to the number of days they wanted to spend in the office. These data suggest a disconnect and that hybrid working protocols may not be meeting employee preferences.
Choose the best option
Ghassan Karian is the CEO of Ipsos Karian and Box. He commented, “From feedback collected, a 3-day office routine was the best choice.” This pattern appears to maximize the benefits of office-centric roles, both for the company and the staff. It allows employees to simultaneously work, think and manage their home responsibilities seamlessly.
The study also shows that, when employers give their employees flexibility in regards to their office days (between two and four), only 35 percent of them choose to work on-site between those days. When employers set specific dates, this number increases to 60%.
Only 27 percent of respondents work for employers who offer a hybrid model that is fully flexible. This group was the most likely to recommend their employer as a great workplace. The opposite was true for those who had a strict working schedule or an office-based job.
As for the advantages of remote work, 37 percent of respondents cited improved work-life harmony as their top benefit. The next three were reduced commuter expenses (34%), more flexible scheduling (33%), as well as a pleasant work environment (24%).
It was a critical observation that remote working led to a decrease in work-related stress. Remote workers are less stressed than hybrid employees or exclusive office workers. Only 36% of them feel this way. The feeling of isolation that younger employees who work primarily from home experience is a major challenge.
