The 2021 Work Trend Index outlines findings from a study of over 31,000 people from 31 countries

Microsoft unveiled work trends every business leader must know. Source: pexels.com

Microsoft has announced findings from its first-annual Work Trend Index. The report named “The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work — Are We Ready?” has uncovered 7 hybrid work trends every business leader must know while entering a new era of work.

According to the report, business leaders should resist the urge to see hybrid work like business as usual. It will require the rethinking of long-held assumptions.

The findings suggest that time spent in meetings has more than doubled globally, and over 40 billion more emails were delivered in February of this year compared with last.

Besides, work has become more human. Nearly 40% say they feel more comfortable bringing their full selves to work than before the pandemic, and 1 in 6 have cried with a colleague this past year.

They also show that we are on the cusp of workplace disruption. For instance, 73% of workers surveyed?want flexible remote work options?to continue.

Meanwhile, remote job postings on LinkedIn increased more than 5 times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 40% of the global workforce is considering leaving their employer this year and 46% are planning to move now that they can work remotely. In short, addressing flexible work will impact who stays, who goes, and who joins a company.

The report also uncovers 7 hybrid work trends every business leader needs to know as we enter this new era of work:

• Flexible work is here to stay.
• Leaders are out of touch with employees and need a wake-up call.
• High productivity is masking an exhausted workforce.
• Gen Z is at risk and will need to be re-energized.
• Shrinking networks are endangering innovation.
• Authenticity will spur productivity and well-being.
• Talent is everywhere in a hybrid work world.

In addition to uncovering what’s at stake with the future of work, the Work Trend Index identifies 5 strategies for business leaders as they begin to make the necessary shift:

• Create a plan to empower people for extreme flexibility.
• Invest in space and technology to bridge the physical and digital worlds.
• Combat digital exhaustion from the top.
• Prioritize rebuilding social capital and culture.
• Rethink the employee experience to compete for the best and most diverse talent

We’ve reported that Revolut shifted?to a permanent remote working model.

SEE ALSO:

• Tips to handle a team of remote workers
• 10 tools every remote business owner needs
• How to improve collaboration when working remotely