According to MS poweruser, two years ago, with the adoption of telecommuting mode, travel restrictions changed work operations. Now, as industries gradually return to normal, it is undeniable that the process of returning to the workplace carries the lessons of the past two years. Therefore, the current return to the workplace is not simply a way to "return" to the pre coronavirus era, especially when the era of mixed office has begun**
However, the mixed office mode has not only brought opportunities, but also brought a series of new challenges and problems. In order to help the community establish a new office model based on the experience and lessons of the previous year, Microsoft 2022 The new future work report integrates various research results of researchers from Microsoft and other parts of the world, which focus on the evolving hybrid office and technology.
The emergence of the era of mixed office represents the change of work geography. In particular, more employees like mixed office and more employers are planning for mixed office. For example, according to Nicholas bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University, 47% of American employees prefer mixed office. In addition, according to Microsoft's 2022 job trend index, 21% of global respondents said they resigned due to lack of job flexibility in time and place.
In addition, even if more employers plan to adopt mixed office, it seems that employees expect more flexibility than employer plans provide. The report expressed uncertainty about how the situation would develop. For example, the report cites the views of research co-authors, who share that in 2021, 31% of respondents in Microsoft China were working full-time in the office, although they could work from home.
The location and time of work are also affected by technological developments. The computing industry is expected to play an important role in ensuring the maximization and fair distribution of benefits in this new era.
Indeed, technology has a huge impact on the operation of mixed office, and the strengthening of mixed practice may be affected by the fact that technology improvement takes time. However, the report suggests that there are still some changes that can be implemented without waiting for such technical improvements. For example, managers can choose the configuration and location of meetings according to the purpose, and expand their strategy. Companies can also try no meeting days.
It is also noteworthy that there is a greater awareness of well-being, work life balance and the value of inclusiveness. Initiatives have been taken in the workplace to take these contexts into account.
Among the challenges identified are home and work environmental factors (such as air quality, temperature and noise) that may affect productivity. In addition, telecommuting may also have a mixed impact on a person's well-being. Although it can lead to greater job satisfaction, employees may also feel isolated and guilty.
This report is one of the public resources generated through the new future for work initiative, which is the largest research program in the company's history. The initiative brings together a number of researchers from Microsoft, LinkedIn and GitHub to maximize the unique opportunity to study how digital technology can improve various working modes.