Do these 3 things to keep your hybrid workers happy

A study released Tuesday by Condeco, one of the world's leading workspace scheduling software companies, found that more than one-third of workers surveyed said hybrid work has improved their mental and physical health.

More than one-third of workers said hybrid work has improved their mental and physical health, per a new study.

One-third of workers in a new survey said hybrid work has improved their mental and physical health.

3 main findings are outlined: work-life balance, technology, and schedules.

Condeco CEO Paul Statham discusses the importance of “digital equality.”

For workers who are against returning to the office full-time, there’s some good news.

A study released Tuesday by Condeco, one of the world’s leading workspace scheduling software companies, found that more than one-third of workers surveyed said hybrid work has improved their mental and physical health. This reaffirms prior research conducted that a hybrid model improves employees’ work-life balance.

For many, living rooms and kitchen tables have become satellite offices and, according to the study, employees want more autonomy over their hybrid work schedules and more reliable technology to stay connected. If more companies adopt a hybrid work model and take employee feedback into account, workers could be healthier, happier, and more productive.

Paul Statham, CEO and founder of Condeco, said that this study shows the need for greater “digital equality” in the workplace since there is currently a disconnect between the technology people feel companies should use, and what is available. A 2020 study by IBM Security and Morning Consult found that over 53% of employees working from home were using personal laptops for work. Statham also emphasized the study’s findings of how employees want to weigh in on company decisions about hybrid work. Workers simply want a say. “For employers to stop this great resignation, they need to give the power to the employees to figure out the best way they can work,” Statham said.

Here’s what employers need to know about the study’s 3 main findings.

1. Get the right technology to make hybrid work, work

Last year, Fortune reported that laptop and desktop computer sales were the highest since 2014; the surge was due to most employees working from home during the pandemic. Even though some employees are now returning to the office, many still need such tools as portable computers, headsets, and standing desks.

Condeco’s survey found that over half of employees agree that their company is using the right technology to support their hybrid schedule, but that their companies are not open to employee feedback concerning digital tools. Statham says that one way to address this issue is to ensure that every meeting space in the office is digitally enabled so that colleagues who stay at home when everyone else is in the office don’t feel alienated.

2. Understand that work-life balance is still very important to workers

Emotional well-being has become one of the workers’ top priorities during the pandemic, which indicates that they are looking to join companies that have a good work-life balance. Condeco’s survey found that 34% of respondents said that working in a hybrid model has positively impacted their physical and mental health.

“From a commercial aspect, happier and healthier employees equal more productive employees, which is exactly what this new way of working is promoting,” Statham said.

3. Let employees weigh in on their hybrid work schedules

Condeco’s data also highlights how most workers want to be given the flexibility to dictate which days to come into the office and which days to work from home, instead of schedules that are given to them. 62% of workers surveyed feel satisfied with their current hybrid work schedule, and 50% of workers who have returned to the office full-time would like their schedules to be more hybrid.

“The problem is that most hybrid work is still being mandated – not allowing freedom is negatively impacting the workforce,” Statham said. “Companies have to listen to their employees. Your employees are your business, so to stay on top of your game, you have to work with your employees, not dictate what they do.”