We are living in the era of talent, and the employment landscape is changing.

Post-pandemic, hybrid and remote work arrangements have become increasingly popular, even operating as the norm for some organisations. Experts say that we can expect this trend to continue, with more leaders and employees favouring the balance and flexibility afforded by hybrid models.

So what does the future look like for your team? How can you be a forward-thinking employer and attract and retain talent in the new world of work?

We’ve outlined the where, when, why and how of hybrid work in this article. Here’s what you need to know.

The where of work: Today and tomorrow

In a world that went home and stayed there to cope with long periods of lockdown, office-based workers have had a taste of what it’s like to work from home.

Many employees in knowledge industries have discovered the capacity for and power of remote working arrangements, and this has led many employers to adopt a remote-friendly approach. In fact, 82% of Australian workers believe that remote work is the future.

By 2022, most global employees had returned to in-office work, but many remote-capable employees continued to enjoy the benefits of a hybrid model, allowing them to work some of the time from the office and the rest of the time from the office.

Offering reduced overheads for employers and reduced travel time and expenses for employees, it’s easy to see why remote and hybrid work opportunities have taken off, with 53% of employees now expecting hybrid options as part of an attractive employment offer.

The when of work: The new work week

Where people work hasn’t been the only change for employees. Many employees and organisations are also considering a restructure of the working week.

According to a Gallup study, 70% of employees want to be in the office no more than 3 days per week.

While most leaders agree that some face-to-face work is important to improving productivity and maintaining a positive work culture, many organisations are open to shifting the layout of the work week to accommodate more time at home.

Research showed that 40% of employees are looking for complete control over when they come to the office, while the remaining 60% are happy to enjoy the benefits of hybrid work if their employer takes the lead.

Why employees prefer hybrid models

It’s clear that remote and hybrid work models are popular among talent. But why?

Most employees who prefer a hybrid arrangement cite reduced commutes and greater flexibility as being some of the top benefits a hybrid week can provide.

People enjoy the opportunity to spend more time at home, where they can establish a better work-life balance and redistribute time as needed to accommodate family life and personal commitments with a clear focus on better wellbeing.

Remote and hybrid work arrangements allow people who can’t commute to remain active participants in the workforce, contributing their skills and ideas. From parents and carers to people living with illness/disability or people living outside of the city, many employees can benefit from remote and hybrid models. Remote work flexibility can help you choose great talent without limitations.

At the same time, most employees like that hybrid work offers the best of both worlds. Workers can take advantage of flexibility benefits that come with remote work days while still attending an in-person co-working environment that promotes productivity and connection.

How to support flexible hybrid work (and why you should)

You know the importance of hybrid work in a quickly evolving job market, but do you really understand why you should support remote and hybrid work at your organisation?

Gallup research shows that employers have a lot to gain from supporting the hybrid work revolution, improving talent engagement and employee experience.

While hybrid models promote better balance and wellbeing, inflexible in-person arrangements have been revealed to reduce engagement, increase the risk of burnout and even trigger higher talent turnover, with an incredible 38% of hybrid-working employees saying they would look for a new role if their employer’s acceptance of hybrid work changed.

What can you do?

You can welcome the advent of hybrid and remote work as an opportunity to transform your organisation.

Prioritise productivity, flexibility and connectivity as part of your approach, and give your team the chance to take control of their working lives, completing purpose-driven tasks to the best of their abilities in-house or in a virtual capacity.

Want to learn more?

The transition to remote and hybrid work may be a challenge, but if you use the technology at your disposal and maintain an open-minded approach to change, you can make the best of it.

Want to learn more about how you can attract and retain great talent and build the best team for your organisation? Find more educational content on the Heart Talent blog.

The rise of hybrid work: How you can prepare for the future