In the latter part of 2022, city officials seemed to realise this – and shifted to thinking long term about zoning and transit, whether they are openly planning to repurpose office space for housing, as Chicago is doing, or discussing ways to reduce the length of residents’ commutes, as New York has done.
THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY IS NO LONGER THE OFFICE
Hybrid is more than a schedule. Some companies have developed something of an attendance-taking mentality, obsessing over which employees or departments are in 2.1 days a week instead of 2.9.
This energy could be better deployed – first, in finding ways to make in-office time feel worth the commute, and second, in thinking about how communication happens when workers are at home.
In a hybrid workplace, the centre of gravity isn’t necessarily the office. It’s technology and communication platforms and the norms that shape their use. And in a truly hybrid workplace, tasks are designed so that heads-down work can happen at home, with the office reserved for tasks that require interaction.
At companies still struggling to make this transition, Larson says, it would help if senior leaders stopped coming in five days a week. “C-suite people hate it when I say this,” she admits.
But by showing up every day, they’re signalling that hybrid work isn’t compatible with a senior role and undercutting their efforts to help employees establish a new rhythm.
MORE THAN JUST SHOWING UP
Finally, hybrid is about more than just showing up. Driving into the office only to send emails or sit on Zoom is annoying – and a missed opportunity. We could all probably make a bit more effort to maximise our in-person time, whether that’s mentoring or just making small talk. Those social bonds are part of what make work more than just a grind.
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