I’m teaching a class on Emerging Technologies for MSPs in January, and one of the questions I was asked was a trend I’m watching. My answer is that disruption is coming into the office space due to the changes in work. Well, there’s more data to review here. Lots of data.
According to the American Psychological Association’s “Work in America Survey,” workplace stress in the US reached epidemic proportions in 2023, with 77% of workers reporting stress and 57% experiencing negative health effects. The top stressors were high workloads, low job control, and work-family conflict. The survey also found high rates of workplace bullying and discrimination.
According to a report, 65% of employees experienced burnout in 2023, impacting productivity. While burnout has decreased compared to 2022, 72% of employees still reported its impact on their performance.
According to Slack’s Workplace Lab research, people who log off at the end of the workday reported higher productivity scores than those who work after hours. Taking breaks and having focused time were also found to improve productivity. The self-reported survey data suggests that working fewer hours may lead to increased productivity.
According to a survey, remote workers were less likely to receive promotions and raises in 2023 than in-office and hybrid workers. However, remote workers reported being happier and less likely to search for a new job. In contrast, employees who were fully in the office reported being the least happy.
Flexibility is now the most sought-after work benefit, with a flexible schedule important to eight out of 10 workers. However, flexibility goes beyond remote work and includes autonomy and the freedom to determine how, when, and where to work.
According to research, spending two days in the office and three days at home could be the ideal hybrid work schedule for happier and more productive workers. A study conducted at BRAC, the world’s largest NGO in Bangladesh, found that employees who worked two days in the office reported greater satisfaction, work-life balance, and lower isolation.
According to a report and survey of 5,000 workers, the push for work-life balance is flawed. The key to mental wellness is the ability of employees to choose their work arrangements. Workers who can select their preferred setting are more productive, have lower stress, are better rested, and are happier with their employer. Mandated office returns are creating a gap in workplace well-being.
According to a Checkr survey, managers are more interested in continuing remote and hybrid work in 2024 than employees. The study of 3,000 US workers found that 68% of managers want remote and hybrid work to continue, compared to only 48% of employees. Managers also expressed concerns that return-to-office policies would lead to many employees quitting.
According to a survey, almost a third of employees in the UK avoid coming to the office because of their bosses. The rising cost of living and office locations were also cited as concerns.
Why do we care?
Story time. Workers are experiencing record stress and burnout. Not overworking, taking breaks, and not letting work creep into after hours increases productivity. Remote workers are happier, and those entirely in the office are far less so. Flexibility is the most important benefit, and giving it increases happiness AND productivity. It’s about being able to control schedules more than arbitrary dates. Managers push for it over executives, and bad bosses keep employees away.
Let’s note that individual preferences and circumstances also play a role in determining work arrangements.
While remote work is a significant form of flexibility, giving workers more freedom to influence their schedules and work location is becoming increasingly common and essential for attracting and retaining candidates.
Leaders are advised to listen to employees and address concerns to prevent burnout, increase productivity, and be more effective. That’s the bottom line.
And there remains ample opportunity to help customers work more effectively this way, mainly because it requires technology.