One of the greatest debates of the post-pandemic age is whether hybrid work is the best — or worst — of both worlds.
Advocates of hybrid work say it helps them achieve a better work-life balance and is more engaging. Studies show it has also boosted women’s participation in the labor force. Employers, meanwhile, worry that it lowers employee productivity and collaboration.
A new study published in Nature could end the debate. It suggests that productivity concerns are negligible and that hybrid work really could be the ideal setup for workers.
The study divided more than 1,600 employees of Trip.com, a Chinese travel agency, into two groups and tracked them for two years. One group worked from the office five days a week, while the other spent three days in the office and two days at home.
The latter group showed improved job satisfaction. The rate at which these employees quit also reduced by a third, with the impact especially pronounced on employees who weren’t managers, females, and those with long commutes.
There weren’t really any downsides. The study found that hybrid work didn’t have a measurable impact on workers’ performance or productivity. Managers, too, were more supportive of it after participating in the study.
The authors concluded that hybrid work can boost companies’ profits by reducing quit rates “estimated to cost about 50% of an individual’s annual salary.” It also “offers large gains for society by providing a valuable amenity (perk) to employees, reducing commuting and easing child-care.”
It can also be a boon to businesses like cafés, bars, gyms, and beauty salons — all of which have seen increased earnings due to the work-from-home economy.
