Top Hybrid Work Statistics to Help You Embrace the New Normal

Hybrid work continues to evolve as companies adopt new hybrid workplace models, and there are many lessons we can all learn along the way. What do employees want when it comes to hybrid work, and what can employees do to balance that with the need for better predictability and space management?

These hybrid work statistics offer some guidance.

Employee hybrid work statistics 

As you consider how to adjust your workplace, it’s important to assess how employees feel about their work environment. Ask about their preferences, where they are most productive, and what they need from you to do their best work.

• 57% of employees say they prefer working from home full time (OwlLabs “2021 State of Remote Work)
• 85% of employees prefer to work remotely at least 2-3 days per week (CBRE 2020 “Workforce Sentiment Survey”)
• 84% of employees said continuing to work remotely post-pandemic would make them happier (OwlLabs “2021 State of Remote Work)
• When determining a hybrid work model, 40% of employees say they want full autonomy to come and go at will, and 60% want more structure and set parameters/expectations (Gallup, The Future of Hybrid Work 2022)

Does hybrid work increase productivity?

One major concern of managers and C-suite occupiers is that employees will become less productive in the hybrid workplace. This antiquated view that being in the office equates to being productive can lead to harmful management styles, such as micromanaging. When adopting a hybrid work model, it’s important to allow for flexibility within the set parameters and framework, keep your team connected with the right workplace technology, and find ways to enhance trust among managers and employees to give employees greater autonomy and ownership over their work – even if they are completing the work from their couch instead of their cubicle.

• 90% of employees say they were as productive or more productive working remotely versus working in the office (OwlLabs “2021 State of Remote Work).
• 55% of employees are high performers when provided radical flexibility over where, when, and with whom they work, versus 36% of employees who work a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. shift in the office (Gartner, June 2022)

Hybrid work statistics by generation

Navigating the shift in workplace models among different generations takes finesse and more than a little planning. Each generation has unique motivators, wants, and needs. Check out some of the insights we’ve gathered below.

• 46% of Gen Zers and 45% of millennials feel burned out due to the intensity and demands of their working environments (Deloitte Global Millennial & Gen Z Survey 2022)
• 75% of Gen Zers and 76% of millennials said they prefer a hybrid or remote work schedule (Deloitte Global Millennial & Gen Z Survey 2022)
• 53% of Millennial and 33% of Baby Boomer hybrid workers are most likely to look for another job if their employers cease hybrid work models and reinstitute in-office policies (International Workplace Group Hybrid Worker Survey, April 2022)
• 73% of millennials and 50% of Gen Z hybrid workers self-reported that their personal career growth has benefited from a hybrid work model (International Workplace Group Hybrid Worker Survey, April 2022)

Employee engagement and retention statistics

In “The Great Resignation,” the fluidity of employment status among employees is leading to increased turnover and a dwindling workforce. Cash no longer is king when it comes to motivating, retaining, and developing workforce talent. Over the past two years, the pandemic’s upheaval shifted employees’ priorities and desires.

Beyond pay – which is still important – employees are looking for positive work cultures, initiatives that make them feel valued and noticed outside of their work, and elements that help them find purpose and connection to their work. Don’t solely offer pay increases. Offer additional incentives such as increased or unlimited PTO, flexible work hours, supportive mental health and well-being initiatives, and opportunities for employees to connect with their team in-person and virtually. Consider these statistics:

• In April 2022, 4.4 million U.S. employees left their jobs (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2022)
• 49% of job candidates who have received a job offer are considering at least two others at the same time (Gartner, “Future of Work Reinvented”)
• 52% of employees say the pandemic has made them question the purpose of their jobs (Gartner, “Future of Work Reinvented”)
• 32% of employees say they feel supported at work (Gartner, May 2022)
• 78% of employees say they feel more included working in the office rather than remote (OwlLabs “2021 State of Remote Work)
• 46% of women versus 36% of men seek higher salaries and flexible working hours when negotiating new jobs (PwC’s 2021 “Future of Work Survey”)

Mental health and well-being in the hybrid workplace

The pandemic brought concerns about employee mental health and well-being to the forefront, and they remain important in the hybrid workplace. Burnout is increasingly common as the lines between home and work have blurred. Employers need to be more mindful of setting boundaries, including establishing hours when employees are expected to respond and when they should disconnect, encouraging employees to use their vacation time, and training managers to look for signs of burnout.

• 64% of organizations have begun offering new well-being benefits, such as counseling services and self-care tools (Gartner, May 2022)
• 96% of HR leaders are more concerned about employees’ well-being today than they were before the pandemic (Gartner, “Future of Work Reinvented”)
• PwC announced in May 2022 that they will invest $2.4 billion in new employee well-being initiatives, which include the ability to choose which workplace format works best for them individually (i.e. Work from home, in-office work, a digital nomad who works anywhere, or a combination) (Forbes, May 2022)
• 65% of employees say the pandemic has made them rethink the place work should have in their lives (Gartner, “Future of Work Reinvented”)
• 56% of women are more likely to prioritize their health and well-being over work than pre-pandemic (Microsoft “2022 Work Trend Index”)
• 47% of employees reported they are more likely to put their family and personal life over work than pre-pandemic, and 53% say they are more likely to prioritize their health and well-being over work than pre-pandemic (Microsoft “2022 Work Trend Index”)

Implementing hybrid workplace solutions

To support new ways of working, employers are investing in new solutions that make it easier to manage office space and reservations and improve collaboration from anywhere.

Gartner forecasts that IT spending worldwide will grow 5.1% this year – which equals $4.5 trillion. The majority of that is predicted to be on cloud technology and other similar technologies designed to support remote and hybrid remote work.

Make sure you choose a hybrid workplace model that puts your people first, then find the technology solutions to support it.

iOFFICE + SpaceIQ gives companies the tools to connect their people, places, data, and assets.

Our comprehensive portfolio of workplace and asset management software allows workplace leaders to make data-driven decisions and improve interactions within the built environment. Explore our solutions for more insights on the future of hybrid work and how to manage it.