Writer: Ryan Gandolfo
2 min read October 2022 — As productivity remains strong, the hybrid work model is becoming a best practice for companies as they grapple with employee retention. A recent study by OWL labs showed that 36% of respondents preferred a hybrid work model, falling right in between remote (42%) and in-office (22%). The study attributed hybrid work with stronger employee satisfaction, productivity and retention.
“Workplace trends are continuing to evolve rapidly, even three years after the pandemic began,” said Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs in a news release. “Priorities and preferences have evolved for both workers and employers in the past year, bringing flexible and hybrid work to the forefront.”
Among the beneficiaries of this new trend is Boston, which ranked as the top state to live in 2022, according to a report by WalletHub. The study accounted for several criteria, from affordability and healthcare to quality of life and safety. The high marks have also turned the city and outlying areas into a top region for hybrid work opportunities.
Recent findings that looked at LinkedIn job postings showed that Boston ranked as the second-best city for hybrid work opportunities, with 547 hybrid job openings per 100,000 people with six-figure salaries. The city lags only behind Atlanta, which holds 710 hybrid job openings per 100,000 people with annual salaries exceeding $100,000.
“We’ve never really had that conversation to this degree before. Yes, some organizations have never had offices; others have had virtual employees for a long time. But with hybrid work becoming widespread, so too has the choice we have as to where and how to work,” said Ethan Bernstein, an associate professor at Harvard Business School, as cited by Harvard Gazette.
The OWL Labs report also found that 52% of workers would take a pay cut for more flexibility in their working location, including 23% that would accept a pay cut of 10% or more.
The hybrid work model is by no means a one-size-fits-all approach, and companies and organizations in each industry are continuing to find the right balance to keep employees happy and business moving forward.
