Microsoft’s annual work trend index 2022 has unearthed data that points to a disconnect between organisations and employees.
In its study, Microsoft found 53% of people are likely to consider transitioning to hybrid work in the year ahead. Furthermore, 51% of hybrid employees say they will consider switching to remote work.
By contrast, 50% of leaders say their company will require full-time in-person work in the year ahead.
The incompatibility of needs may be explained by 54% of managers believing their leadership is misaligned with employee expectations.
Adjusting to a Hybrid World
These figures also point to a teething period in which employers and employees jostle to find a comfortable arrangement with post-pandemic freedom still in the air. Employees beware that the remote life is getting more challenging as the time in Teams meetings has increased by 252% since February 2020, and chats have gone up 32% since March 2020.
There is a generational variation in working preferences to consider. 58% of Gen Z are thinking about changing jobs in the year ahead. However, only 35% of Gen X and Boomers are considering a job change. Gen Z and Millennials are also the most willing to change jobs to move location, which compares to only 27% and 17% of Gen X and Boomers.
Those who have hybrid work also face problems, as 38% say their biggest challenge is knowing when and why to come into the office. Only 28% of leaders have created team agreements for hybrid work to define why and when to go to the office.
Relationships at Work, Metaverse and Meeting Habits
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The impact of thriving and struggling workplace relationships (via Microsoft Annual Work Trend Index 2022)[/caption]
There is an apparent social disconnect in workplace relationships. 43% of leaders say relationship-building is the greatest challenge in remote and hybrid work, and 55% of hybrid employees and 50% of remote employees feel lonelier at work than before going hybrid or remote. Loneliness can lead to reduced productivity, turnover, health problems, and burnout, so it is in a company’s interest to foster healthy work relationships.
