Remote Work Increasing in 2024?
Plus: State of Flex lineup and the role social bonds play in collaboration
📅 Mark your calendars! Next week, we’ll release our Q3 2024 Flex Report, where we’ll dive into the latest work location flexibility trends across Industries, Geos, and Company Sizes. We’ll also look at the relationship between the year a company was founded and their stance on work location flexibility.
In this week’s edition:
🎥 State of Flex Lineup Announced
📈 HR Leaders Bullish on Remote Work in ‘24
🤝 Social Connections & Collaboration
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FLEX EVENTS 📅
State of Flex Lineup Announced!
Join us on August 15th for the Q3 2024 State of Flex webinar, where we'll share the latest insights from our Q3 Flex Report!
Four of the most respected thought leaders on the future of work — Nick Bloom (Stanford), Debbie Lovich (Boston Consulting Group), Brian Elliott (Best Selling Author), and Rob Sadow (Flex Index) — will delve into the latest data, insights, and trends in the ever-evolving landscape of workplace flexibility.
Key topics we’ll cover:
The latest breakdown of work location flexibility approaches within the US
The increasingly critical role of internal events to drive engagement in hybrid work
Creating a "phygital" work environment to meet Gen Z's unique hybrid needs
The universal impact of workplace joy on reducing attrition risk for all worker types
Secure your spot today and have your questions answered LIVE by our speakers on August 15th!
PS Can't attend live? No problem – register to receive the on-demand recording of the event.
THIS WEEK’S FLEX FOCUS 🔍
HR Leaders: More Remote Work in ’24, Not Less
In an era where headlines often herald the decline of remote work, HireRight’s latest global survey of 1,250 HR leaders reveals a surprising trend: nearly twice as many organizations expect an increase in remote or hybrid work by the end of 2024, not a decrease.
The benefits — improved work-life balance, wider talent pools, and better retention rates — continue to outweigh the drawbacks for many organizations. Notably, candidates are increasingly willing to walk away from opportunities that don’t offer remote options.
How can companies balance the benefits of remote work with the need for in-person collaboration? And how will cities and urban centers reimagine their purpose in a world where the office is no longer the default?
FLEX WORK QUICK HITS 💥
Stay ahead of the curve with our curated roundup of the trending flexible work stories making waves right now. Here's what you need to know 👇
Workday: Hybrid work’s “coordination tax” costs time and productivity as employees struggle to align schedules and organize effective meetings.
Bloomberg: Walmart’s mandatory relocation policy sparks employee concerns and departures, highlighting challenges in balancing corporate goals with workforce flexibility.
WSJ: Commercial property foreclosures surge to decade-high levels, signaling potential market bottom as lenders seize distressed assets amid office sector struggles.
MITSloan: Effective hybrid work models prioritize purpose-driven “moments that matter” rather than blanket RTO mandates.
STAT OF THE WEEK 📈
Min Days / Week Most Popular with Tech Firms
Similar to all other industries, Minimum Days / Week is the most common Structured Hybrid model within Technology. 76% of Structured Hybrid Tech firms have a Min Days / Week policy. Specific Days / Week is next most common at 14%.
FLEXPERT INSIGHTS 🧠
Collaboration Reimagined: Is Your Office Really Necessary?
In his opinion piece for The Hill, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky challenges the push for office returns by highlighting new research from INSEAD that suggests social connection, not physical proximity, drives effective workplace collaboration.
Dr. Tsipursky argues that “affective closeness” built on trust and mutual understanding can replace the benefits of in-person work. He suggests that organizations focus on building robust social networks through virtual tools and cross-functional projects rather than mandating office presence.
FLEX PERSPECTIVES 🎙️
How Sodexo’s Business is Evolving to Support a Hybrid Work World | Henrik Jarleskog
In this episode of Flex Perspectives, Rob Sadow is joined by Henrik Jarleskog. Henrik is an executive responsible for the Future of Work at Sodexo, one of the twenty largest employers in the world.
Join us as we discuss:
Sodexo’s journey to flexible work and how the shift towards more dynamic office usage impacted the business
How Sodexo partners with and advises clients to maximize the experience of the office
Where he sees hybrid work headed in the coming years
Also available on Apple Podcasts.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT ⭐️
Raymond James is a renowned investment banking company that provides various financial services, including wealth management, investment banking, and asset management. Employees who don't live near a corporate office can apply and get approval to work full-time remotely.
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