Cisco Systems Malaysia managing director, Hana Raja said hybrid work had improved employee performance in terms of productivity, up 55%; quality of work, up 60%; and job knowledge and skills, up 61%.
“The data showed 65% of employees working from home are less likely to leave and look for a new role because of the flexibility in their work.
“Another 44% of employees’ relationships with colleagues had improved due to all the flexibility they have working from home,” Hana said in her opening keynote at the Future-Proof Hybrid Workplace hybrid webinar recently.
Hybrid working arrangement was the new normal and it would be the future and is the reality of today, said Hana.
“This is especially so for small and medium businesses (SMB) if they want to attract talent.
“Cisco data highlighted 74% of employees want a hybrid working arrangement, 22% like to work fully remote, and 5% work fully in the office,” she said, adding that employees could do anything anywhere as it was more and more acceptable norm.
Meanwhile, employers need to think about four things, namely, employee experience to make sure working from home and office are seamless and secure.
This is followed by an inclusive culture where employers have to develop an inclusive and cohesion culture for their organisation owing to employees working at different places.
Besides, employers have to ensure employee well-being is taken care of even when people are working virtually.
“Finally, trust and leadership – this is crucial as employers ought to trust and empower people who work from anywhere.
