It is clear: employees are increasingly appreciating the hybrid work model.
As we have already said, working part of the week from home can create problems, so it is essential to follow the guidelines to find the right work-life balance.
Only one in seven European employees would like to return to the traditional work model, in attendance.
This is what emerged from Samsung's new Hybrid Living Futures research, which once again confirms how the flexible working model, made mandatory by the pandemic, has now become a priority, as opposed to being in the office.
Data on hybrid work in Europe
Again the study reveals that the personal and working lifestyles considered "conventional" are now outdated.
The technological stack allows half of Europeans to establish new boundaries, thus reducing the need to work in person and increasing productivity. That's true for 57% of workers.
However, there are also negative aspects to consider: in fact, 18% of employees said they were no longer able to follow a rigid working schedule and easily stop from work.
Even 26% (therefore a quarter of agile workers) have the feeling of working non-stop, without breaks or moments of relaxation.
In order not to risk the health of your workers and avoid burnout phenomena, we recommend that you read the article we have dedicated to the topic.
Hybrid work in Italy
As regards Italy specifically, 83% of those who have adopted a hybrid work model have no intention of returning to the traditional work model, based on timetables, a constant presence in the office, and characterized by journeys to reach the workplace.
Only 17% would like to return to the traditional 9-6 hours, mostly to fight the problem mentioned above, namely the feeling of never stopping and working non-stop.
Finally, over half of the Italian interviewees stated that thanks to a more agile lifestyle, they noticed a significant increase in free time, which it's dedicated to family (47% of the interviewees) or physical exercise (approximately 43%).
Advice for work-life balance
In a hybrid work model, as we said in the article "Managing the return to the office: three tips to keep productivity high", it is necessary to delineate the boundaries between working time and personal life.
Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, has provided some advice to all workers who want to be able to draw stronger boundaries between home and work life, to better manage the hybrid lifestyle:
1) Brain brushing: to achieve a more serene work routine when needed, it is essential to dedicate yourself to yourself, remaining silent for 5 minutes and concentrating on breathing;
2) Virtually have lunch in the company, to raise mood and morale, cultivate the sense of belonging to a group and not lose the attendance of colleagues, even if at a distance;
3) Establish boundaries, physical and verbal, to avoid interruptions that can cause you to lose focus while working or that work invades your personal life;
4) Cultivate relationships with close people, not necessarily colleagues, by organizing a virtual coffee, ordering takeaway food to share, or watching a film together (always in compliance with the rules);
5) Recover contact with nature, with total immersion in the scents and sounds of a natural environment. For those who wish, they can try the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (literally "bath in the forest").
Do you need advice to make life easier for your employees in the office? Please read "What do your employees expect when they return to the office?"
