Hybrid work setups, featuring fixed in-office days and remote working, are being implemented by many companies in their return-to-office plans, perceived as flexible and autonomous. However, these arrangements can lack the necessary flexibility for some workers, such as caregivers and employees with disabilities, according to Tim Oldman, founder and CEO of employee-experience research firm Leesman.
Key Points:
- Hybrid work arrangements, generally split between office and home, are viewed as a balance for employees post-pandemic, but may be too rigid due to fixed in-office days and working hours set by employers.
- While some workers appreciate the structure of a fixed hybrid schedule, others, especially caregivers, disabled or neurodiverse workers, may find it constraining and not supportive of their work or personal needs.
- A survey by The Harris Poll revealed that 69% of remote workers valued the independence that comes with remote work more than the professional benefits of in-person work.
- The fixed hybrid work model, with its rigid office hours, can disproportionately affect workers with caregiving responsibilities and those with physical or cognitive impairments.
- Experts warn that the lack of flexibility in mandated hybrid schedules can compromise diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by not addressing the unique needs of different sections of the workforce.
Continue reading at https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230613-why-hybrid-return-to-office-mandates-arent-as-flexible-as-they-seem
