Amid a global recovery from the pandemic, hybrid work has become a topic of fierce debate. On one end of the spectrum, you have tech moguls like Elon Musk threatening to fire workers who don’t return to a 40-plus-hours, in-office model. Then you have businesses like Spotify and Github, whose leaders have leaned into the trend and transformed their company culture. The question is, who’s right and who’s losing out? Are there any companies that have mastered hybrid work?
Employees have made themselves clear. 71% said they wanted a hybrid or remote workplace after the pandemic ended, according to a study by Owl Labs. 1 in 3 declared they’d even quit their jobs if remote work was completely taken away. There was a paradigm shift brought about by COVID-19. For the first time, employees experienced the freedom of being able to work from anywhere. They could be closer to their families, travel, and enjoy greater flexibility thanks to hybrid work. Their lives no longer revolved around getting to and from the office. For many, it was a glimpse at a brighter and more balanced future.
In an environment where so many workers are looking for hybrid work options, it isn’t surprising that offering hybrid work is key to attracting top talent. Some business leaders have taken notice of this and have eagerly met employee demands. In return, they’ve received happier, invested employees, reduced turnover, and real estate cost savings. Although Musk has resisted remote options altogether, the carnivalesque Twitter fiasco hasn’t helped his case. Few modern employees wanted to be chained to the workplace. So, who is learning from Musk’s folly and taking to the hybrid model? Here are three companies that have mastered hybrid work.
3 Companies that Have Mastered Hybrid Work
1. Airbnb
As of April 2022, Airbnb offers workers a live and work-anywhere model based on “combining the best of the digital world and the physical world.” Employees can choose to work from home and move anywhere without a loss in compensation. They can even work in over 170 countries for up to 90 days per year, meaning a nomadic lifestyle is also possible. The company has also prioritized in-person gatherings, which they say will be more impactful than set in-office days. Their unique take on WFA arrangements proves they’re one of the main companies that have mastered hybrid work.
Rather than infantilizing or micromanaging their employees, Airbnb leadership emphasizes trust as the key to hybrid work. During the pandemic, remote work resulted in record earnings for the company and demonstrated the effectiveness of hybrid work. Employees remained productive, and business increased. This encouraged them to expand the policy. Another clear benefit is that Airbnb workers are sure to book plenty of stays in 2023 and beyond.
2. Dropbox
Dropbox used to enjoy an upgraded lifestyle in the office, including award-winning meals, gyms, and meditation spaces. Then they sold their 700,000-square-foot office space and launched the Virtual First program in 2021. Much like Airbnb, employees work from home 90% of the time and meet up occasionally for gatherings and meetings. Four hours of each day are set aside for “core collaboration hours,” meaning employees need to be at their desks for virtual meetings. The rest of the day is set aside for projects and personal situations, such as picking up children from school. They’ve also given workers $7,000 stipends for childcare costs and office needs like ergonomic desks.
In the second quarter of 2022, 78% of Dropbox employees said they were more productive thanks to the hybrid model. 3 in 4 also reported a better work-life balance. In the wake of Virtual First, the company has had twice the number of applicants per job posting. Their ability to attract and retain talent makes them one of the top companies that have mastered hybrid work.
3. Doist
Doist, a company that operates apps like Todoist and Twist, has had a remote model in place for over 16 years. Employees get 8 weeks of PTO per year, including a whole month off for experimenting with personal projects. They also receive a budget for things like hardware and parental leave, among other benefits. Workers meet up for meetings, local retreats, and one annual retreat to connect regularly.
Doist’s retention rate? A shocking 97%. Like other businesses, they say that trust is paramount to the success of hybrid work. During the hiring process, they look for “trust characteristics” to ensure they’re recruiting the right people. There’s no doubt that it’s working.
Learn More about the Benefits of Hybrid Work by Partnering with 1Rivet
1Rivet’s core foundation is ensuring client success, and we make sure to deliver value and quality work as a strategic partner to our clients. To learn more about companies that have mastered hybrid work and what this means for your organization, please email us at info@1rivet.com.
