Hybrid work boosts productivity for most employees, survey finds

New research from recruiter Robert Half has found that while most employees see hybrid work as beneficial to their productivity, many employers remain cautious and are considering mandates for more in-office days.

The independent survey, conducted among 1,000 full-time office workers and 500 hiring managers in Australia, revealed that 63% of employees believe hybrid work positively affects their productivity, while only 15% say it has a negative impact.

Employers have responded to productivity concerns in a range of ways. Some 39% have already mandated in-office days for their staff and a further 40% plan to do so in 2025. These measures are seen as a route to improving collaboration and boosting productivity, despite mixed feelings from employees.

The research shows a disparity between how workers and business leaders perceive the impact of different work arrangements on productivity. Only 5% of employees report that the location or time of work has no impact on their productivity.

According to employee responses, working from home full time is seen as beneficial by 53%, while 45% believe working from the office full time boosts productivity. However, hybrid work stands out, with 63% identifying it as having the greatest positive influence. In contrast, 30% believe full-time in-office work has a negative effect, and 26% say the same about full-time remote work.

Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, said, "Hybrid work is the sweet spot for productivity according to workers as in-office and at-home environments offer them certain benefits. Employers, meanwhile, recognise that the absence of in-person work hinders the collaborative culture that leads to increased productivity. The most successful organisations will be those that find the right balance between flexibility and accountability."

Employers have also implemented a variety of other strategies to address productivity. Half have increased training and professional development opportunities, 49% have worked to improve communication and feedback, and 48% report they have optimised workflow management. Digital transformation and automation have also featured heavily, with 43% introducing such initiatives and a similar percentage planning further automation in 2025.

In terms of future plans, 43% of employers are eyeing more automation, 40% expect to implement mandatory in-office days, 39% plan to introduce tougher performance metrics, and a similar proportion aim to focus on communication, feedback, and workflow management enhancements.

Gorton stated, "The key takeaway is that one size doesn't fit all. While some companies are resorting to tougher performance metrics and mandated in-office days, others are focusing on more holistic approaches like improved communication and workflow optimisation. Employers need to think about how they can adopt a flexible approach that caters to the business needs while keeping their workforce motivated and engaged."

Despite these measures, balancing increased productivity with employee wellbeing remains a significant concern for business leaders. The research found that 86% of employers see this as a challenge, with just 1% saying they do not find it difficult to ensure productivity improvements while also maintaining employee wellbeing.

The contrasting views between workforce and management are set against a backdrop of slowing productivity growth in Australia. While employees prefer flexibility and see hybrid working as optimal, many employers continue to view in-office requirements as crucial for maintaining productivity and collaboration.

Gorton said, "With Australia's productivity levels slowing down, employers and employees are seemingly at odds around what an optimal work set-up looks like. While the majority of employees value hybrid or remote work, employers want to prioritise productivity and see in-office mandates as a way to accomplish this goal, while also continuously prioritizing employee wellbeing to avoid burnout and retain top talent. It's a tightrope walk, but it's not impossible."

The survey, conducted in November 2024, covered a mix of small, medium and large organisations across industries such as finance, accounting, business support, and IT and technology.