
Hybrid Work Has Become The Most Popular Way Of Working
GLOBAL – Citing global research, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) revealed that hybrid work has become the most popular work set-up today and this trend is already well entrenched, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on Tuesday (16 August, SGT).
According to the property consultancy’s latest Workforce Preferences Barometer that surveyed 4,015 office workers, 55 percent of staff were alternating between different workplaces every week in March 2022 – not only from their residence, but from other places like coworking centres compared to merely 5 percent in March 2021.
This new work arrangement is particularly appreciated by those who are taking care of children or relatives (66 percent), Gen Y (69 percent), Gen Z (73 percent), and managers (75 percent).
Interestingly, many employers are giving their staff what the former wants, as only 5 percent of “frustrated” office employees who wanted to enjoy hybrid work were not given such perk.
However, there are also some issues that need to be tackled. Although the sense of being more productive while working home is increasing, 25 percent of employees said they felt isolated and unable to foster close ties with their workmates.
Also, merely 48 percent of the labour force agreed that their firm was a great place to work today.
Still, more workers have returned to the office as COVID-19 curbs across the world were relaxed. As of March 2022, 73 percent were working in the office at least one per week compared to only 5 percent in the same month last year.
However, the popularity of hybrid work has generated demand not only for greater remote working support, but also for in-office support, and this has stretched further the employer’s traditional scope of responsibility.
As such, JLL urges firms to tweak the design of their office to facilitate hybrid work, including providing more collaborative spaces and wellness facilities. Landlords could also add coworking spaces in their office buildings, as a facility for the tenants.