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In today's world of work, a clear evolution is taking place: the renewed need to be physically present at work. Some organizations are timidly trying to implement an “imposed” return to the workplace. However, most companies have understood that forcing employees to give up teleworking would make them much less attractive.
The banking giant Goldman Sachs in New York reaffirms the importance of the presence of its employees on site 5 days a week. Conversely, organizations like Zoom, a pioneer in remote work, are moving towards a hybrid way of working.
This transition to the hybrid model reveals a profound transformation in the understanding of productivity. It highlights the growing need for businesses to revitalize relationships between employees and strengthen team cohesion. But why do businesses seem to be more resistant to remote working than before?
Is the appeal of “full remote” declining?
According to a study conducted by the Data Science Manager at Azdun in 2022, 18% of job offers were intended for positions that were entirely remote. This proportion was only 10% the following year.
This decrease can be explained by several factors. Managers and human resources are looking to eliminate the formation of inequalities between employees who work on-site and those who work remotely.
Indeed, teleworking is now perceived as an advantage in the organization of working time. However, the whole company cannot necessarily work remotely, creating long-term frustrations on working conditions.
At the same time, a preference for face-to-face work is emerging among younger generations. They see it as an opportunity to expand their network and to assimilate new skills more effectively. Faced with these expectations, businesses are required to adopt a hybrid approach to attract and retain emerging talent.
A recent Stanford University study looked at the productivity of remote workers. For people who work 100% from home, it records a 10 to 20% drop in work efficiency.
Faced with this reality, American companies are moving towards more nuanced solutions. The hybrid model is one. They are even considering a return to an entirely face-to-face model for some managers, in order to facilitate decision-making.
At the same time, an OECD study from July 2023 indicates that the peak of productivity would be reached in hybrid mode. More precisely with one to two days of teleworking per week. This discovery explains the growing interest of businesses in the hybrid model.
The movement towards the return of work to the office does not therefore call into question teleworking as a whole. Above all, it questions the viability of the 100% remote working mode.
Returning to the office — a growing desire on the part of organizations
As a result of the pandemic, 72% of businesses around the world want their employees back in person. Many organizations are experiencing a loss of sense of belonging and a decline in creativity. These two elements are in fact stimulated by the direct interaction between colleagues.
Some, like Mark Zuckerberg, point out that “full remote” work is not effective. For example, he says that” engineers perform better when they work in contact with colleagues at least three days a week ”.
Businesses are therefore redoubling their efforts to encourage a return to the office. To do this, attractive initiatives are being put in place, such as sports classes, or the provision of daycare services. Rewards are also offered.
While the debate over the importance of face-to-face work for productivity persists, the current landscape reflects a more complex reality.
Productivity doesn't just depend on the workplace, but in the way the work is organized and managed. Businesses that adopt the hybrid model are finding innovative ways to boost efficiency without requiring a full-time office presence.
The hybrid work model proves its effectiveness in France
“Full remote” - 100% remote work - is a marginal phenomenon in France. According to a survey dating from February 2023 conducted by the Future Forum consortium, only 8% of managers in France work entirely remotely. This is much less than the 23% in the United States, while the French use remote work more.
In the context of a hybrid model, French workers benefit from the benefits of teleworking. These include a reduction in travel, increased flexibility and a better work-life balance.
All while benefiting from the advantages of working on site. These include access to the company's physical resources and increased social interaction with colleagues.
French workers recognize the benefits of the hybrid model, both for their own well-being and for the efficiency of their business. Indeed, the hybrid approach seems to strengthen the attachment of employees to their company. This is a crucial aspect for the well-being of employees and the increase of company productivity.
Hybrid work: is the optimal balance difficult to achieve?
A recent report by XY Sense states that more than a third of corporate offices around the world remain empty all week. This statistic highlights that businesses struggle to find an efficient organization and a balance between remote work and office presence, while maintaining optimal productivity.
Indeed, to ensure optimal working efficiency with a hybrid mode, companies must continuously assess the use of their offices. This is in order to adapt and optimize their hybrid way of working.
They need to find ways to promote face-to-face work in order to promote collaboration between workers and creativity. All while offering the flexibility that remote working allows.
So, using planning solutions provides a double advantage.
First of all, that of allowing teams to organize themselves to go to the office jointly and thus strengthen social ties.
Second, the data collected makes it possible to identify possible optimizations in terms of the work environment. For example, organize the rotation of certain teams on defined or rolling days, adapt the number of meeting rooms, etc.
Discover m-work to organize hybrid work
In conclusion...
In conclusion, whether across the Atlantic or in France, hybrid work seems to be emerging as the new normal. By combining the advantages of face-to-face and remote working, this way of working seems to be the best of both worlds. It is a safe bet that over the next few years Businesses will continue to adjust their strategies. With the final objective of finding the ideal balance that meets both the productivity needs and the expectations of employees.
