While more and more companies are adopting or are in the process of implementing a hybrid-work model, 40 percent of those surveyed globally said the model needs to be improved and 42 percent said they will quit if remote working is removed completely, a leading recruitment firm said in its research report. 

According to Robert Walters, which surveyed 2,000 professionals to identify the symptoms of dysfunction in hybrid working, 55 percent of workers feel that their current hybrid arrangement does not go far enough to help bring a well-needed balance back to their home and work life.

In fact, professionals said that the hastily constructed working model has led to more intense working days, where one must attend both face-to-face and virtual meetings. 

According to the report, the under-researched and under-tested new hybrid working model has resulted in workers feeling overworked (54 percent) and exhausted (39 percent).  

Majority of professionals (85 percent) now expect more flexibility to work from home as a standard offer from employers after the pandemic, while 78 percent, said they will not take on a new job until this is agreed with a prospective employer. 

Returning to the workplace is very important to young people, with 75 percent of 18-26-year-olds saying their workplace is their top source of meaning and social connection, the report said. 

Jason Grundy, MD, Robert Walters Middle East & Africa said: “Whilst the switch to remote working was almost instant, we need to appreciate that was out of necessity.”

“The return to work should be gradual employers and employees alike should use this year to test a variety of working styles from hybrid-working to potentially removing the 9-5 in favour of hours based on project load,” he added.

(Writing by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Seban Scaria)

Imogen.lillywhite@refinitiv.com

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