Hybrid Work Explosion: How 2024 Will Transform Your Workspace Forever!

By 2024, the traditional 9-5 workspaces are already a thing of the past. We are no longer restricted to physical office spaces – now, we can work from anywhere, at any time. 

Yes, this shift was accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic — we already knew that. But now, after the situation has calmed down, we have realized that we can’t return to our previous work manners — not in the same manner, at least. 

Companies have also figured out that 100% remote and working from home all the time is not working either. So, what can we do? Hybrid work, of course! 

Since 2020, employers have had various reactions to hybrid work. Some have tried to cut down this model, while others have been on board with this idea from the beginning. However, more and more leaders are noticing the benefits of having a hybrid workplace.

Of course, every business has a unique culture and mindset. So, there will never be a universal fit – especially in the 2024 hybrid workplace. Maybe your company will opt for the model where everyone works physically a couple of days per week while the other days are working remotely. Or perhaps a part of the organization works from the office while others work from home. 

But the question still stands – what does hybrid remote mean? Well, the trick is that managers must look at the needs and preferences of their teams. So, what are the hybrid work trends we will see in 2024?

When it comes to creating a hybrid work schedule, as employers, we must think about creating the right balance between actual work and flexibility. According to workplace research, almost half of employees have stated that they would prefer to quit their jobs than return to the office full-time. For this reason, flexibility continues to be extremely important for employee productivity and satisfaction. Even more so, in 2023 and 2024, more and more companies have also started normalizing non-traditional work schedules. Fortunately, this autonomy of work hours proves to be successful for both employees and organizations.

It’s easy to create a workplace at home – we know that. The trick is to figure out how to create a more homey environment at work. We spend a third of our day at work, so organizations must come up with more creative ways to make the office feel just as cozy and inviting as at home so that it does not feel like an airport terminal. 

This is easy for startups, as this has been part of the startup culture for as long as we can remember. The challenging part comes from large organizations. However, they have started slowly implementing more offices designated for games or relaxation.

Since companies are adopting a hybrid work schedule, it might be redundant to invest in office spaces. In fact, at the end of 2023, around 20% of office workspaces were vacant. And it makes sense! Some offices used to waste money on rent for only a few days per week. 

Instead, businesses are turning to coworking spaces, where they would rent a shared office space only for the days when employees would come in person. Of course, this might not work for everyone. However, these spaces offer the benefits of a professional work environment without a long-term lease commitment. Even more so, this is also amazing for networking opportunities.

As a hybrid job, we must learn how to leverage collaboration tools to their fullest extent. Without in-person monitoring, hybrid remote work relies entirely on technology. However, even four years after the COVID-19 pandemic started and we moved to the digital landscape, some employees and employers still face multiple challenges. Especially when collaborating with others. 

For this reason, selecting the right tools for our team has become necessary. Think about your team’s preferences. Do they like Google Drive? Do they rely on Slack messages or Notion files? The 2024 trends entirely focus on creating personalized experiences for everyone – hybrid work is no different.