Shifting work arrangements challenge employee experience
On the onset of hybrid work across the world, an overwhelming number of executives are confident that their company cultures will remain under the new working arrangement.
A study from global professional services firm Genpact revealed that 97% of 500 senior executives from large global enterprises believe that they can maintain a shared culture under hybrid work.
However, emerging working arrangements do not come without challenges, as the report also found out that 91% of executives agreed that employee interactions have shifted toward problem solving instead of socialising with colleagues.
Integrating new hires have also become an issue, with 48% of the executives pointing out that remote work negative impacted their organisation's ability to integrate new hires into their culture.
Even existing employees within organisations saw changes in their relationships - with 42% saying that remote working had a negative impact in the connection between senior and junior leaders.
"The rapid shift to remote work has been one of the most important management innovations of the past 20 years. It's proven work can be done remotely at scale. But in a post-pandemic world, leading companies will be defined not just by their ability to get work done, but in their ability to create agile, adaptable, hybrid work environments that allow culture and creativity to thrive," said Genpact chief executive officer (CEO) Tiger Tyagarajan in a statement.
According to Tyagarajan, businesses should be able to integrate digital technologies in order to foster a company culture of collaboration and one that integrates employees.
"To lead through this seismic shift, businesses must combine digital technologies and smart data to drive actionable insights that integrate employees into company culture, enable collaboration, and maintain learning and wellbeing — whether people work remotely, in the office, or blend both."
Read more: Hybrid policy: Why HR must balance business and employee needs
In fact, the report said that among the respondents who said they adopted new technologies amid the pandemic, 76% agreed that their company could maintain its culture amid a hybrid work environment.
It noted, however, that aligning remote and office experiences may need more experimenting in the future as while 59% virtual meeting technologies are needed for enhancing teamwork, only 11% recognise the potential of enhancing meeting room technologies to boost collaboration.
"As people adjust to a hybrid world, companies must remember that work requires collaboration and deep human connection — wherever it is performed," said Tyagarajan.
"Technology can play an important role in supporting a hybrid environment that works for both employees and customers, while delivering long-term business and individual success."
The study is the first of the three-part Tech for Progress 360 by Genpact in collaboration with FORTUNE Brand Studio. While the first tackled workforce culture, the second and third will discuss environmental sustainability, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.
