For a couple of years, it really did seem like Pandora’s box had been opened, never again to be closed. But of course, things didn’t pan out like that.
By late 2022 and into early 2023, big companies including Amazon, Salesforce, Disney, and JPMorgan issued return to the office (RTO) mandates to staff.
Amazon’s RTO policy came into effect in May. “We should go back to being in the office together the majority of the time (at least three days per week),” wrote CEO Andy Jassy in a blog post to staff in February.
At Disney, CEO Bob Iger told workers that starting from March, any staff member working “in a hybrid fashion” will have to be back in the office for four days a week.
At Google, the approach is more considered. “Our hybrid model balances the best of being together in person and being anywhere—where teams can intentionally come together to collaborate and connect in the office, and spend the other days working from wherever best suits their needs,” a company memo reported.
In the UK, things have shifted too. According to the most recent data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), in its Characteristics of homeworkers, Great Britain: September 2022 to January 2023 report, 28% of Britons report hybrid working, with just 16% saying they are fully remote.
Hybrid models are characterised by some days at home, and some days in the office. Depending on your employer, that can look like anything from two to four days of in-office attendance.
Certain days remain off-limits. In London, business owners around Liverpool Street Station say Monday and Friday are now the quietest days of the week. As workers compress their office attendance into mid-week, Thursday has become the new Friday, and many workers head to the pub on what is their “last” day of the week.
Advantages
But as the dust settles on RTO mandates and workers get back into the groove of a blended week, certain advantages have emerged.
While hybrid work requires you to get out of your sweatpants at least a couple of days a week, for many, it delivers a better work-life balance. Those in-office days can be a more efficient use of time; in-person meetings, strategy sessions and 1-2-1s can all happen when everyone is in.
Hybrid work also provides flexibility for employees to work in ways that are most effective for them, and it has specific benefits for younger workers. According to the ONS, this cohort continues to be least likely to only work from home (6%).
A new study found that while 49% of millennials want to work fully remote, only 27% of Gen Z feels the same way. In part, this is because early career professionals really benefit from in-person support and mentoring.
Regardless of your generation, working the way you want to matters. If you’re finding that your weekly mix isn’t blending, then a new job could be the answer. The Maddyness Job Board has thousands of opportunities; discover three below.
In London, GoCardless is seeking a Data Platform Product Manager to lead the future of GoCardless’ data platform including machine learning enablement, data infrastructure and data science. You should excel at problem discovery and prioritisation, aren’t afraid of a challenge and will have a go, staying curious and adapting to a constantly changing environment.
Also in London, eClerx is seeking a KYC Analyst to be frontline in meeting Anti Money Laundering (AML), Client Due Diligence (CDD), Refresh, i.e. periodic review requirements. You will be responsible for the execution of client’s business objectives and ensure adherence to metrics. Experience in financial services, preferably with banks, is a must. You will also need previous experience in client-facing roles and must demonstrate a strong client focus, as well as have knowledge of AML CDD policy and standards, and industry practices in AML CDD.
Google is seeking an AI Solution Specialist, Digital Native Customers to act as a solution specialist and strategist within its Customer Growth Engine organisation, working with important AI digital native and info business companies on their AI strategies. You will collaborate closely with teams to create, progress, and convert pipeline by engaging in assigned strategic AI digital native and info business accounts.
For more opportunities across the UK tech sector, visit the Maddyness Job Board today