Four in 10 employers planning to implement hybrid work this year, survey finds
An increasing number of employers across Australia are implementing hybrid work arrangements in a bid to improve the productivity of their workforce, according to a new report.
Findings from Robert Half revealed that 39% of employers have mandated in-office days to improve productivity, with another 40% planning to do the same this year.
Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, said employers are recognising the absence of in-person work hinders the collaborative culture that leads to increased productivity.
"The most successful organisations will be those that find the right balance between flexibility and accountability," Gorton said in a statement.
The findings come as 63% of employees surveyed also recognise the positive impact of hybrid work on their productivity.
This is much higher than the share of employees who believe fully working from home (53%) and onsite (45%) have a positive impact on productivity, according to the report.
"Hybrid work is the sweet spot for productivity according to workers as in-office and at-home environments offer them certain benefits," Gorton said.
In the wake of hybrid work's popularity, the report found that 86% of employers say it is challenging to improve productivity while ensuring employees have work-life balance.
"With Australia's productivity levels slowing down, employers and employees are seemingly at odds around what an optimal work set-up looks like," Gorton said.
"While the majority of employees value hybrid or remote work, employers want to prioritise productivity and see in-office mandates as a way to accomplish this goal, while also continuously prioritising employee wellbeing to avoid burnout and retain top talent. It's a tightrope walk, but it's not impossible."
Other efforts that employers plan to implement to boost productivity include:
"The key takeaway is that one size doesn't fit all," Gorton said.
"While some companies are resorting to tougher performance metrics and mandated in-office days, others are focusing on more holistic approaches like improved communication and workflow optimisation. Employers need to think about how they can adopt a flexible approach that caters to the business needs while keeping their workforce motivated and engaged."
