Workplace flexibility ranks as the most important element to workers today, second to salary, according to global nonprofit The Conference Board. Hybrid work schedules, where individuals split time working from home and from the office, help put work in its rightful place. Such flexible working schedules allow people to prioritize personal goals like physical activity and spend more time with their family. This is significant given that Pew Research Center finds 73% of U.S. adults say family time is one of the most important things in their life.
When You Want to Be Hybrid, But Your Boss Wants You in the Office
Five strategies for having an effective and empathetic conversation.
January 18, 2024
HBR Staff/Karl Hendon/Westend61/Getty Images
Summary.
While recent years have seen back-to-work mandates following the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, they’ve also seen a growing number of workers shift to fully or partially remote. Perhaps you’re considering making this shift, too. Many factors make hybrid work schedules appealing — including caring for young children or aging parents, or the stress of long commutes — but flexible work is new and unfamiliar territory for most employers. When approaching your manager about pivoting to a hybrid work schedule, you may encounter resistance. It’s important to know where this resistance is coming from, and how you can calm fears about this change. This article outlines five strategies that will help you confidently and respectfully negotiate a hybrid work schedule.