With several years of hybrid work implementation, this project sought to document the hybrid work experiences of 20 Canadian executive-level leaders in workforce innovation and skills development and private sector organizations in culture, finance, tech, and professional services.
The experience of the executives corroborated trends seen more broadly, including the increasing use of hybrid work as part of a long-term workforce strategy and the need to engage employees to shape hybrid policies. The executives in this project also corroborated other research by highlighting the increasing desire from workers for flexibility while managing impacts on workplace culture, productivity and collaboration. Those interviewed also outlined the evolving skills demands for hybrid work for front-line staff and management.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for hybrid work. In response, employers seeking to attract and retain knowledge workers should seek to maximize job flexibility, both scheduling and location, while deliberately fostering engagement and skill development to support hybrid workers to excel.