Hybrid work strategy: what are companies doing now?

Currently there is no one-size-fits-all approach to hybrid working, with different companies and industries offering different perspectives on how their staff will work best. But with all the backlash, U-turns and media coverage it can be challenging to determine what decisions other companies have made about how their employees will be working, both now and in the future.

WORKTECH Academy’s Hybrid Workplace Radar takes an in-depth look at which companies are embracing hybrid and which companies believe that the office is the way forward.

Here are some sneak peaks at what the Radar reveals.

Office advocates

In general, the technology sector shows a willingness to embrace remote working, with companies like Meta offering fully remote roles and Google announcing a hybrid workplace strategy. But social media giant Twitter has bucked this trend under new ownership by Elon Musk – staff are expected to be in the office 40 hours a week minimum and that remote working is no longer tolerated.

Twitter is not the only company taking a stance against the hybrid working model. Netflix’s desire to bring everyone back in the office is in marked contrast to its competitors. Netflix co-chief executive Reed Hastings told The Wall Street Journal that he doesn’t see any positives in a remote working environment: ‘Not being able to get together in person, particularly internationally, is a pure negative.’

Flexibility forges ahead

Unlike a more conservative approach taken by many other banks, UBS has taken a flexible stance to a return to office. UBS has introduced a Virtual Worker Framework. This means that eligible UBS employees in America can work 100 per cent remotely. The bank is introducing this programme in phases, starting with certain Global Wealth Management roles. Currently, about two-thirds of UBS employees enjoy a hybrid work schedule where they can work from home up to three days a week.

On a similar tack, Lloyds Banking Group is set to cut its space by 20 per cent over the next two years as working from home looks to become a more permanent feature for its workforce. However, it has told office-based staff working on a hybrid model that they will have to spend at least two days a week in the office, with ‘card swipe data’ used to monitor their return.

CEO Charlie Nunn said the move was designed to ensure performance, fairness, inclusivity and productivity for all staff. Exceptions to this ruling are available and will apply for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions for whom staying at home may be a safer option.

Read more about the office returners and the companies embracing remote-first working in the Hybrid Workplace Radar, which can be found in our Innovation Zone exclusively for Academy member companies. Join WORTECH Academy and access premium content in our Innovation Zone here.