Jane Parry is a UK-based sociologist whose applied research examines changing workplaces, workforce inequalities, and especially flexible, remote, and hybrid work. She followed organizations through the pandemic lockdowns to understand what they learned about hybrid models. She and her colleagues now study post-pandemic work across multiple UK industries.

She finds that well-designed hybrid working is emerging as a sustainable best of both worlds model. It can expand labor supply, strengthen recruitment and retention, and maintain productivity. But it requires thoughtful, case-by-case implementation rather than blanket rules.

Remote and hybrid options widen the labor pool by making work more accessible to disabled people, parents of young children, and others who struggle with full-time, site-based roles. Flexible location policies improve recruitment and retention, with estimated annual savings of £7–10 billion in reduced turnover. Concerns that hybrid arrangements undermine collaboration are overstated; coordinated anchor days, better recognition of collaborative work in appraisals, and under-used digital tools can make relationship-building and teamwork more intentional than in ad hoc, full-time office life.

Her findings suggest that organizations have much to gain by redesigning offices and policies to prioritize collaboration zones, varied workspaces, and inclusive hybrid strategies.

ARTICLE: What Five Years Of Evidence On Hybrid Working Tells Us About The Future Of Employment

‍