A recent global Cisco study indicates that hybrid work arrangements in Singapore have led to improvements in overall employee well-being, work-life balance, and performance. While companies have seen gains in employee productivity, there’s room for improvement in fostering an inclusive work environment and fully implementing hybrid work models to enhance employee experience and preparedness.

Cisco’s study, titled “Employees are ready for hybrid work, are you?”, revealed that 56% of Singaporean employees believe their work quality has risen, and 60% reported increased productivity. A significant 76% feel they can perform their job remotely as effectively as in a traditional office setting. However, the study, which included over 1,000 respondents from Singapore within a larger pool of 28,000 employees across 27 countries, found that only 19% believe their company is fully prepared for a hybrid work future. This figure falls short of the global average of 23%.

Andy Lee, Managing Director of Cisco Singapore and Brunei, emphasized that work is no longer defined by physical location. He noted that the hybrid model benefits both employees and employers in Singapore, evidenced by increased well-being and productivity. However, Lee stresses that hybrid work implementation goes beyond simply ensuring a safe return to the office. Leaders should prioritize fostering an inclusive environment, placing employee experience and well-being at the forefront. This includes modernizing network infrastructure and security to provide a seamless and secure work experience.

Cisco’s research analyzed the effects of hybrid work on five aspects of well-being: emotional, financial, mental, physical, and social. A significant 79% of respondents reported improvements in various areas of their well-being due to hybrid and remote work.

The flexibility of working outside the office has led to a better work-life balance for 83% of Singaporean employees. This sentiment is stronger in Singapore compared to the global average of 79% and the regional average of 81%. Contributing factors include adaptable work schedules (61%) and reduced commute times (50%). Around 70% of respondents saved a minimum of four hours per week working from home, with over 28% saving eight hours or more.

Financially, 82% of Singaporean respondents reported improvements in their financial well-being, saving an average of US$9,000 annually. Reduced spending on fuel and commuting ranked highest among savings (84%), followed by food and entertainment (79%). Most respondents (87%) believe these savings are sustainable, with 65% considering them a factor when evaluating job opportunities.

Furthermore, 72% of respondents reported improved physical fitness due to remote work, and 70% noted positive changes in their eating habits. The majority (74%) reported stronger family relationships, and 50% saw improvements in their relationships with friends.

The preference for a hybrid model is clear, with 71% of Singaporean employees favoring a mix of remote and in-office work, compared to 25% who prefer fully remote and 4% who prefer fully in-office.

However, concerns remain about how varying work styles impact inclusivity and engagement. Half of the respondents in Singapore observed increased micromanagement with hybrid and remote work. Trust from managers in their employees’ productivity emerged as a crucial theme.

Anupam Trehan, Senior Director of People & Communities at Cisco APJC, highlights trust as a fundamental element in the hybrid work environment, alongside flexibility and empathetic leadership. Trehan emphasizes the need for greater effort in integrating hybrid models, particularly in cultivating inclusivity and providing the necessary technology. He urges leaders to prioritize employee retention by fostering trust, demonstrating empathy, and promoting flexibility and fairness.

Technology’s role in enabling a diverse and distributed workforce remains crucial. Connectivity issues are perceived as a career obstacle for remote workers by 60% of respondents. Consequently, 84% believe reliable networking infrastructure is essential for effective remote work, yet 30% believe their company lacks this infrastructure.

While 73% of respondents in Singapore consider cybersecurity paramount for secure hybrid work, only 66% believe their organization has adequate measures in place. Furthermore, only 64% believe all employees fully grasp the cybersecurity risks associated with hybrid work, and just 65% believe their leaders are aware of these risks.

Juan Huat Koo, Director of Cybersecurity at Cisco ASEAN, underlines the importance of robust security integrated into the technology foundation of a hybrid workplace. Given the increased attack surface with more devices and users connecting remotely, organizations must prioritize secure access and protect users and endpoints across the network and cloud.