The best aspects of both in-person and remote work are combined in hybrid work. Businesses all throughout the world are embracing the trend of remote and hybrid work becoming more commonplace. According to recent Omdia research, 58% of companies encourage workers to use a hybrid return-to-office plan. This enables companies to benefit from the advantages of working remotely as well as in person, including greater flexibility and face-to-face collaboration. Ensuring the success of hybrid work will probably be the primary concern for all organizations, and many workplaces will incorporate digital tool purchases and meeting room rentals.
The development of new digital and AI tools, the ongoing skills scarcity, the approaching recession, and other factors are just a few that could impact the nature of work in the months to come. However, it is anticipated that the primary goal of workplace models for 2024 will be to give employees greater flexibility and a better work-life balance through the use of appropriate tools and technologies.
Here are some hybrid work trends to look out for in 2024:
Increase in remote working and flexible work timings
Increased flexibility, financial savings for both businesses and employees, and access to a larger talent pool are just a few advantages of working remotely. Numerous companies have also discovered that workers who work remotely are more productive.
Therefore, it’s likely that flexible work arrangements will remain in demand, including part-time employment and flexible schedules. These arrangements help organizations attract and retain top talent by enabling individuals to better balance their work and personal responsibilities. In many organizations, four-day work weeks can also result from raising awareness of employee well-being.
Investment in technology will continue to soar.
Businesses will keep spending money on technologies that enable remote work, including tools for project management, communication, cooperation, and hybrid workplace management. These could include cloud-based collaboration tools, video conferencing software, cyber-security software, office hoteling for flexible workspaces, virtual meeting platforms, and recruitment tools. Convenience is the reason behind the choice of hybrid work. With the correct technology, the hybrid workplace can be improved and become a more sustainable long-term working model.
Focus on employee well-being.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the problems that many workers had when attempting to manage their personal and professional obligations while working from home. After the wave of high-profile and quiet resignations, businesses have realized how important it is to prioritize employee well-being in order to retain talent and set the stage for future success.
Organizations will probably provide a range of hybrid work choices in 2024 and better accommodate employees’ requirements and preferences. They might also keep putting an emphasis on worker well-being in other ways, such as offering flexible work schedules, tools and assistance for mental health and wellbeing, and encouraging a work-life integration culture. Allowing workers to work from anywhere they choose—at home, in coffee shops, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, etc.—will also boost productivity.
Adaptation of AR/VR/Metaverse
Virtual reality (VR), augmentation, and the popular metaverse technology in 2024 can all be used to support and improve hybrid work. Virtual meeting spaces and collaborations are one possible use case for them.
Regardless of location, employees may meet, communicate, and share information in real time in immersive and interactive virtual environments made possible by AR and VR technologies. Moreover, these technologies can be utilized to build virtual workspaces that replicate the atmosphere of an office, as well as to streamline onboarding and training.
Use of automation and AI
Workflow management and task automation are two areas where automation and AI technologies in hybrid work might be used. Automation technologies enable organizations to automate repetitive jobs and procedures, thereby providing people with more time to engage in higher-value activities. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as machine learning and natural language processing, can also be used to analyse and understand data, spot trends and patterns, and offer actionable advice.
Staying ahead of the curve is not only advantageous but also necessary as the landscape of work continues to undergo a fast change. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, manager, or executive looking to follow 2024 workplace trends, the choices you make today will determine the direction your company takes in the future.
