How we work keeps evolving. The newly released 2024 State of Hybrid Work report by Owl Labs confirms the traditional 9-to-5 office is not making a full comeback. Even as companies issue return-to-office mandates and job listings specify in-person requirements, employees continue to seek flexibility.
Here are some of the key findings—and how you can use them to make smarter decisions in today’s hybrid world:
1. Flexibility Is No Longer a Perk—It’s a Priority
Flexibility has become a non-negotiable for most professionals. According to Owl Labs, 66% of employees say they would start looking for a new job immediately if remote work were taken away.
While many employers still struggle to strike a balance between autonomy and collaboration, hybrid work continues increasing:
- 62% of employees work in-office (down from 66% in 2023)
- 27% work hybrid (up from 26%)
- 11% are fully remote (up from 7%)
The most popular hybrid schedule? Three days in the office.
Hybrid work has also fueled the Work From Anywhere movement. In the past year, 58% of employees worked remotely from locations other than their homes or coworking spaces, though time zone differences continue to pose challenges. For best attendance and engagement, the report shows that the best time for a meeting is during the sweet spot: 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
2. Polyworking Is on the Rise In Hybrid Work
The report shows that 22% of workers hold at least one additional job—and among managers, that number climbs to 32% (compared to 19% of individual contributors). More professionals are diversifying their work portfolios.
3. Productivity Is About Focus, Not Location
Despite growing concerns from managers about team productivity, 62% say their teams are more productive working hybrid or remotely.
Focus, not physical presence, is the new measure of output. And calendar blocking is becoming a popular strategy:
- 58% of workers block time on their calendars or to prevent meeting overload. The same trend that Sunsama found in their recent report, which I mentioned as a way of timeboxing in a previous article.
- Millennials lead the way in this habit
- Interestingly, full-time office workers block time more than hybrid or remote employees
4. Wellbeing Is Lagging Behind
While productivity levels have remained steady (90%), employee stress is rising:
- 26% feel burned out
- 22% feel underpaid
- 17% report declining mental health
Proximity bias—the tendency to favor in-office workers—still exists, though it has declined:
- 55% believe their managers see in-person workers as more hardworking and trustworthy (down from 63% in 2023)
- 57% admit they’re more likely to seek opinions from coworkers they see in person (a 10% drop from last year)
5. The Cost of Going to the Office Is Rising
For many, the office isn’t just about location—it’s about cost.
- Hybrid workers now spend $61/day when going to the office (up from $51 in 2023)
- Working from home costs an average of $19/day (up slightly from $15)
It’s no surprise that 22% of hybrid workers would expect a pay raise if asked to return to the office full-time to offset the increased expenses.
6. AI Is Reshaping Workflows
Artificial intelligence is now deeply embedded in how we work:
- 72% of employees have used AI tools at work
- 23% use them multiple times a day
- 47% of employers have adopted AI to replace or augment human roles
Final Takeaway
Hybrid work is here to stay, but it comes with new expectations: flexibility, focus, and wellbeing. Staying ahead means upskilling, introducing AI to your routine, and advocating for the work-life balance that helps you thrive.
