HR Policy Global Workplace Survey Indicates Work Arrangements Stabilize With Challenges

After enduring three years of disruptions from Covid, companies' work arrangements have finally stabilized. However, employers still face challenges in policy inconsistencies, potential low engagement and productivity due to remote work, and the new return-to-office push. 

About the Report: Earlier this year, HR Policy Global conducted a survey across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Our aim was to comprehend the shift in work model arrangements post-Covid and the driving forces behind it. We gathered 119 responses - 54 from Europe, 45 from Asia, and 20 from Latin America. The comprehensive report can be viewed here. 

Key Findings: 

1. Three days at the office and two days working from home is the most common work arrangement across all regions and the prevalence of the hybrid work model has significantly increased, marking a substantial departure from pre-pandemic practices. 
   
   
2. In terms of governance, regions report differences in using guidelines or policies to govern their hybrid work model.
   
   
3. Most companies have no intention of altering their existing work model. However, the implementation of hybrid work models does not necessarily guarantee permanent benefits.
   
   
4. There remains a notable resistance and reluctance to adhere to return-to-work mandates. 
   
   
5. A diverse global workforce does not conform to a one-size-fits-all model, particularly in a hybrid working environment, and it can get more complex depending on industry. Line managers play a pivotal role in communicating and engaging with employees.

Challenges: Employers also face challenges related to inconsistency of workplace policy management, added pressure on front line managers or HR to enforce policies, and potential low engagement and productivity due to remote work. The new return-to-office push from company leadership adds a new form of pressure on the hybrid work model. 

What's next: Before Covid, hybrid work opportunities were scarce, and it fell on employees to justify the need for it. The pandemic disrupted this notion within two years, revolutionizing the fundamental understanding of the workplace by proving that many jobs can be effectively performed remotely. No matter what work models the company chooses to adopt, understanding their business model and collaboratively developing a new narrative which reflects the requirements of both the company and employees is the key.