5 Key Points of the State of Hybrid Work in 2022 in Europe

The whole world changed with the move to remote and hybrid work. Companies have had to reassess what the workplace looks like outside of the office and are still learning what works best for them and which model best suits their needs.

To get employee feedback, Owl Labs partnered with Vitreous World to survey 10,000 workers across Europe. The objective of the study was to delve into how European employees feel about the hybrid and remote model, their new behaviors and expectations in the workplace, and how organizations are adapting to these new demands.

5 Key Points of the State of Hybrid Work in 2022 in Europe

1) A Third (31%) of European Employees Have Changed Jobs in the Last Two Years

Of the workers who did not change jobs at the start of the pandemic, 21% are actively looking for a new opportunity in 2022. The average job tenure in the EU is 9.8 years, and major changes in workplace culture work can shorten it. For this reason, companies that want to retain their employees must adapt to their needs.

2) 76% of European Employees Are Concerned that Their Company Will Take Actions in the Workplace that They Do Not Agree With

When it comes to hybrid work, the change is more pronounced than ever. Workers seek to prioritize their health, their family environment and their happiness, and they worry that their company will make decisions regarding the implemented work model that interfere with those priorities. They want to make sure their comments are heard.

Managers can demonstrate active listening by enacting workplace policies suggested by employees. That may mean allowing flexible policies or tailoring office space based on employee needs.

3) Main Benefits that Would Convince European Employees to Stay with Their Current Company: Flexible Work Schedules (36%) and 4-Day Work Week (36%)

In a hybrid work world, employees want the flexibility and autonomy to organize their time. This factor is different for every business and industry, so leaders must consider the entire organization when developing these policies. 

4) 94% of European Employees Think that Managers Should Take Steps to Ensure Their Satisfaction

Not surprisingly, workers want to be happy. They also want to help shape the workplace where they spend most of their time. And they want their managers to take action, considering restructuring their benefits or implementing flexible hours.

5) 23% of European Employees Are Concerned that Their Company Is Not Adapting Their Current Offices to Better Accommodate Hybrid Work or Provide the Right Technology

If offices are not prepared to adapt to a hybrid model, companies will lose great talent. Employees worry that they do not have collaborative tools to communicate with their colleagues or the right technology to be able to access all the data and carry out their daily tasks as if they were working in the office.

Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay

The key takeaway from the study is that hybrid work is now the norm and that flexibility is fast becoming a goal. Over the past 2 years, employees around the world have adapted to a work-from-anywhere lifestyle and expect flexibility when it comes to where and, increasingly, when they work.

Likewise, workers want company managers to listen, care and adapt to their new needs and expectations in the workplace. Thus, for the 52% of employees who have changed jobs or are actively looking to do so, flexible work across location and hours is their top priority.

The pandemic forced a remote work experiment that affected workers around the world and showed us a few things. But now, workers are deciding for themselves how they want to work. Many have found that with a laptop, Internet connection, collaborative tools, and email, they can be productive from anywhere, not just in the office.