Companies are still not 'very prepared' for hybrid work, says study

While hybrid workplace is becoming the new normal this year, companies continue to struggle to manage their hybrid teams.  

According to the findings of a new Cisco study, Six out of 10 (62%) respondents believe having connectivity issues regularly is limiting the career of remote workers. For example, even though eight out of 10 workers said networking infrastructure is essential for a seamless working from home experience. A little more than two-thirds (68%) believe their company currently has the right networking infrastructure.  

It further showed that more than three-quarters (78%) also believe that cybersecurity is critical for making hybrid working safe, but less than two-thirds (65%) say their organisation currently has the right capabilities and protocols in place.   

Also worrying is that only 62% think that all employees across their company understand the cyber risks involved with hybrid work, and 68% think business leaders are familiar with the risks.

For organisations to operate and grow a hybrid workforce with success, it is important that investment in the right technologies and tools goes hand-in-hand. Leadership teams must embrace the new future of hybrid work and be the examples for their teams.

Also read: Video analytics can bring greater productivity to a hybrid workplace

Hybrid working has helped improve employee wellbeing, work-life balance, and performance worldwide, according to a new global Cisco study. While organisations have benefited from higher employee productivity levels, more needs to be done to build an inclusive culture and fully embed hybrid work arrangements to boost readiness levels and enhance employee experience.  

The study conducted by US-based market research firm Dynata that included 28,000 full-time employees from 27 countries (including India) found that six in 10 (61%) employees believe that quality of work has improved. A similar number (60%) felt that their productivity has enhanced.  

Another interesting findings of the study is that while three-quarters of employees believe their role can now be performed just as successfully remotely as in the office. The survey also revealed that only one in four thinks that their company is ‘very prepared’ for a hybrid work future.  

“It is clear that hybrid working is here to stay, and for good reason as employees and businesses alike see tangible benefits across key indicators — from improved overall employee wellbeing to better productivity and work performance,” said Anupam Trehan, People & Communities Leader, Cisco APJC.

“Nonetheless, more needs to be done to fully leverage the opportunities of a hybrid work future, particularly in building an inclusive culture, devising employee engagement strategies, and deploying technology infrastructure to bring organisations to the readiness levels of their employees,” said Trehan.