The illusion of flexibility is taking some hits as we speak. Trends with quirky names often come and go, but some, like the “hybrid creep” trend, appear to be here to stay. In the era of RTOs, some businesses have made allowances for hybrid models instead of a full-time return to in-person work. This middle ground has made workers more willing to come back to the office a few days a week, while still enjoying the perks of operating from home. Unfortunately for them, the signs of hybrid creep are increasing, which means that employers are gradually raising the number of days employees are expected to work in person.
(Image: Freepik)
What is Hybrid Creep and Why Is This Trend a Worrying One for Employees?
The return-to-office trend is being followed closely by the hybrid creep trend, and this shift is pushing employees to resist RTO policies with greater zeal. In the months after the pandemic, businesses initially appeared satisfied with the prospect of working remotely, having realigned their entire business model with online operations. Over time, many began to grow restless, finding the business inflated with too many workers and not enough returns.
The shift to in-person came gradually for some businesses and abruptly for others. Many employers went back to in-person operations almost immediately, and this encouraged others to also follow suit. The initial offers of hybrid work with one or two days of in-person work were also met with some resistance, but employees did eventually agree to return, largely thanks to their desire for community. Now it’s clear that businesses aren’t done with their desire for in-person shenanigans.
The Numbers Make It Clear That Cases of “Hybrid Creep” Are Increasing
A new report by Owl Labs, which claims credit for coining the term “hybrid creep,” found that 34% of respondents now have to work in person four days a week, which is a step up from 32% in 2024 and 23% in 2023. This gradual increase is a straightforward way businesses are using to ease workers back into operating in person.
Surprisingly, the hybrid creep trend appears to be working successfully on some employees. The Owl Labs survey also found that 21% of respondents were willing to work in person four days a week, which is higher than the 17% who felt the same last year. This does not mean that the entire population of workers has agreed to disentangle themselves from their desire for flexibility.
Almost half of the workers admitted that they still lacked the overall work flexibility they were looking for. For 37%, the lack of flexible working hours was enough to reject a job offer. As much as employers are hoping to slowly lead employees to a full-time return to in-person work, most employees aren’t willing to head in that direction just yet.
Why the “Hybrid Creep” Model Is Working to an Extent
The biggest struggle for remote businesses is the initial introduction of the in-person policy, as many employees have to make considerable lifestyle changes in order to comply. Many workers have no choice but to relocate, make accommodations for childcare services, and take care of other responsibilities before making the switch, which makes them more reluctant to comply. After workers are brought into the office for a period, increasing the number of in-person days becomes a lot easier.
While the strategy works great in theory, employees who are aware of the likelihood of the “hybrid creep” trend before it was assigned a name continue to resist hybrid models with more force. When companies introduce RTO policies, they are now seen as a way to force them to quit or as a way to desensitize them to the idea of a full-time return to the office.
Will Your Organization Say Yes to Hybrid Creeping?
The “hybrid creeping” trend suggests that the days of remote work are numbered. Employees comfortable with the current state of hybrid operations are being pushed to their limits, and fortunately for employers, most aren’t in a position to quit. This doesn’t mean that employees are happy about it. From the rise of shadow AI to power workslop to the coffee badging shortcuts that get them back out of the door as soon as possible, workers are resisting the change.
While the resistance may not always be evident, the return-to-office “hybrid creep” trend is allowing some degree of resentment to grow. Employers that genuinely believe in the benefits of allowing employees some degree of flexibility can stand to gain from doubling down on their hybrid model. Reassurances and reminders about the company’s commitment to employees can go a long way in attracting talent to the organization and retaining those who want to make a difference at work.
We have strayed far from the golden era of work, where employee benefits were important to organizations that were competing to retain their talent. But in order to truly flaunt a fully functional workforce, putting employee interest on the same pedestal as company goals could be the ultimate strategy.
What do you think about the “hybrid creep” trend and its impact on employees? Share your thoughts with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.