4 things you need to know about the future of hybrid and remote work

Spotify's new work-from-anywhere program will promote flexibility and diversity, executives told Insider.

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• As more Americans get vaccinated, companies are starting to reconsider their reopening plans.
• Employers like Spotify and TIAA are investing in hybrid work models.
• This guide explains what you need to know about the future of hybrid work.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

The post-pandemic workplace is going to look a lot different. Mostly, there will be fewer people in the office.

As more Americans get vaccinated, companies are starting to think about what their reopening plans might look like. Some employers, like Spotify and TIAA have decided to invest in hybrid work models, giving employees the flexibility to work from the office, their homes, or another location.

Insider compiled a guide with the four most important things to know about the future of hybrid work.

1. Remote work is leading to burnout.

Burnout and fatigue are familiar themes of pandemic life. Meetings are booming, workdays are lengthening. And at the same time, per recent LinkedIn survey data, 74% of employees are taking "shelter" in their current job as a way of mitigating risk during tumultuous times.

While what it means to work from home isn't going to be the same in post-pandemic life, these remote and hybrid - where you come into the office some of the time - work styles are likely to. But conflict is rising around the best way to do it without sacrificing quality, company success, or personal wellbeing.

Read more:

Remote work can unlock productivity or push burnout. Here's how smart companies are planning for our 'hybrid' and WFH future.

Use this 6-step checklist to conquer workplace burnout, protect your mental health, and re-energize your team

A day off work and 'Zoom-free Fridays' aren't going to cut it. Here's how to really tackle burnout.

Consulting confessions: 6 current and former staffers at Deloitte, PwC, and other top firms detail pandemic burnout

2. Prioritizing camaraderie and communication can improve remote-work culture.

Open lines of communication are key to improving the culture when you're working from home. Leaders ned to ensure that all employees feel informed. It's also important to give employees the opportunity to connect in more casual settings, like a virtual happy hour, to help them feel included.

Read more:

A Facebook exec shares 4 strategies any leader can use to improve communication and camaraderie when working remotely

Etsy's chief operations, strategy, and people officer shares how the company maintains its culture while working remotely

3. The rise of remote work also means the rise of the virtual headquarters.

The pandemic means some employers have reduced the amount of real estate they own or rent. Some are getting rid of offices entirely.

But this presents a new challenge for employers, who now need to recapture the visibility, casual conversations, and collaboration that came so easily in person. Their best bet, technologists working to solve the problem said, is to create a virtual HQ - a suite of office tools that allow employees to work collaboratively from home.

Read more:

The 'virtual headquarters' are coming

4. Employers are debating the type of work that makes the most sense for their workforce.

Hybrid work doesn't work for everyone. Wall Street, for example, wants employees back in the office.

But employees will be looking for more flexibility post pandemic. Here's how companies are providing flexibility to their employees.

Read more:

TIAA's HR chief shares the thinking behind its new hybrid work model that sorts employees into 4 categories of flexibility

H&R Block's CEO and HR chief explain how the company decided against fully remote work - and why they expect staff in the office 3 days a week

Spotify's new remote-work plan 'isn't in response to the pandemic' - it's a bet on diversity

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