According to Owl Labs’ annual State of Hybrid Work Report polling 2,000 full-time employees across the UK, as well as 8,000 respondents globally,* the rise of hybrid work has fundamentally changed how businesses need to be led. Given that only 11% of workers want to be in the office full time and 35% would opt for three in-office days (the most popular choice), CEOs and executives need to adapt. If not, they risk disengagement and worse – a mass exodus – with nearly half (47%) of employees citing they would look for a new job that offered more flexibility in where and when they work if they lost their hybrid work privileges.
What employees value in the companies they work for is shifting. With a greater focus on flexibility, just over two thirds (67%) of UK workers are experiencing changes to traditional corporate norms, with 23% of employees needing increased praise and a further 20% wanting their personal and professional values to align. Employees are becoming “intention seekers”, with 72% saying it is important to have a sense of purpose at work.
Business leaders, therefore, need to take action to boost employee engagement and mitigate the threat that a disengaged workforce poses to overall company productivity. As it stands, 43% of employees feel disengaged at work; while the top reason employees are looking for a new job is for a better work-life balance (50%), up from 41% in 2023. Companies that are not taking action are already seeing individuals push back as nearly 1 in 5 workers (19%) instil greater boundaries by not taking on work outside of their specific job descriptions. What’s more, a further 20% won’t answer work messages outside of work hours. What business leaders could expect from their teams previously is no longer the norm.
Leaders must also adapt as UK workers now expect a strong working culture that incorporates both purpose and perks. The good news is that 70% of UK workers feel they can be authentic and bring their whole selves to work, while 65% feel connected to their company’s purpose, mission, values. By taking on board changing employee values and motivators, business leaders can create a far more engaging and productive workforce.
Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs comments: “As UK workers continue to embrace hybrid working, business leaders who default to traditional management methods risk alienating their workforce. Ongoing employee responses to return to office mandates, as seen at the likes of Amazon, is proof that RTO mandates are missing the mark. As the workplace changes, so should the attitudes of CEOs. If trends like “coffee badging” or “hushed hybrid” create a more engaged workforce then business leaders need to get comfortable with embracing these practices. Rather than hiring people to watch them work, business leaders need to prioritise creating more authentic employee experiences, regardless of location. A more robust tech stack that enables individuals to tailor their work schedules based on their daily to do lists should be a key priority for every business leader.”
