Hybrid working is officially the future of work.

Ernst & Young (EY) surveyed 500 US C-Suite and business leaders for its first Future Workplace Index.

The study found that 72% of office-based organizations are currently working in a hybrid environment, and 75% anticipate that they won’t have one dominant working location going forward.

In addition, 87% said the pandemic has changed the centrality of the office to their organization.

Other findings from the index are how productivity, company culture and wellbeing improved during the pandemic.

57% of leaders surveyed said their workers were more productive now than before the pandemic, and 83% said their culture had improved when less than half of their staff were working in the office.

How to implement the hybrid future

While the C-Suite may have accepted that hybrid work is here to stay, it “isn’t creating the policies necessary for long-term hybrid workplace success”, according to EY global real estate, hospitality & construction leader Mark Grinis.

“We know the pandemic’s effect on future workplaces continues to be substantial.

“The Index reveals there is a critical gap, and guidelines are needed to maximize sustained workplace success in a hybrid environment.”

EY’s principal of strategy and transactions in corporate real estate consulting, Francisco J Acoba, added that “there is no one-size-fits-all solution to help companies navigate these complex decisions.

Acoba continued: “Office-based companies should implement processes, protocols and technology in the near term to effectively enable and monitor safety and health practices, use of physical space, and hybrid collaboration across their organizations.”

EY generally calls on companies to implement “fit-for-purpose technology” that really enhances the experience for employees, as well as dial up their focus on physical and mental wellbeing policies.

This is all particularly urgent given that burnout is on the rise in the pandemic, and tech overload and too many legacy systems are playing a significant role in worsening employee stress.