A new report from Owl Labs has highlighted how the majority of hybrid workers are demanding access to effective technology, standing out as one of the top three facilitators of workplace collaboration.
The study, titled State of Hybrid Work Report, found that access to good technology ranked in the top three most important facilitators of workplace collaboration, only behind a supportive manager (91%) and compensation (92%).
A nationally representative survey of 2,000 full-time employees across the UK was carried out, highlighting that 93% of UK workers would take action if they were no longer allowed to work remotely or hybrid, with the top reason employees searching for a new job cited as a better work/life balance, mentioned by half of all surveyed employees.
The report highlights that surveyed organisations are making big changes to office environments, with the top three changes related to tech. 42% of surveyed organisations are introducing AI tools, while 38% are increasing IT support and 355 are upgrading meeting room equipment.
The focus on technology coincides with a rise in return-to-office mandates, with the majority of surveyed UK hybrid workers attending the office three (41%) or four (27%) days a week.
Frank Weishaupt, CEO, Owl Labs, commented: “Our data demonstrates that hybrid working is no longer just about when and where we work. Rather, the rise in trends like coffee badging and work-to-rule demonstrates that UK employees are also looking for true fluidity in how they work. The expectation isn’t that everyone should access the same level of flexibility either; over two-thirds (68%) believe that employers should provide more flexibility for those that need it most, like working parents. When employers champion this approach, they often see a productivity boost as employees feel more engaged with their work, invested in the company’s success, and are therefore motivated to deliver better results.”
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