The Future of Work: Striking the Balance

It has been almost five years since the global pandemic transformed the way we work. According to a recent article published by HR News, “Despite a growing upturn in businesses serving return-to-office (RTO) mandates, data from Kahoot! revealed that a third of UK hybrid workers would quit their job if work-from-home days were reduced. Yet, the novelty of remote work has faded, with many employees reporting video call fatigue, drops in productivity, and privacy concerns.”

To gain further insights, we recently asked our network about their preferred working arrangements for maximum productivity. Unsurprisingly, hybrid working emerged as the most popular option, with 80% of respondents favouring it. Meanwhile, 17% chose fully remote work, and only 3% preferred working in the office full-time.

At Hasson Associates, we can see that hybrid working can be productive and efficient  – it supports those who need flexible working and can create a more diverse work force. It allows employees to have dedicated work-from-home days for focused, distraction-free work while also benefiting from in-office collaboration, inspiration, learning, and socialisation. Over the past 5 years, we have all learnt the importance of work/life balance.

Finding the ideal hybrid balance:

Our data further explored the ideal ratio of work-from-home to office days. The results revealed that:

• 40% prefer working in the office one day per week.
• 40% prefer two days in the office per week.
• 19% favour three office days per week.
• Only 1% opt for four office days per week.

This data suggests that requiring employees to be in the office more than three days per week could negatively impact team morale and productivity. Furthermore, it may lead to increased staff turnover and a reduced pool of candidates when hiring new talent.

The impact on talent acquisition:

If your organisation is on a talent hunt this year, reconsider your workplace policies to ensure you attract and retain the best candidates. Businesses that offer hybrid work with a maximum of three office days per week may experience reduced staff turnover, a broader talent pool, and overall business growth.

By adapting to employees’ evolving needs, organisations can create a more engaged, motivated, and productive workforce while remaining competitive in today’s market.

To discuss your talent strategy this year, contact one of our Senior Associates.  
E: info@hassonassociates.com