Microsoft and LinkedIn announced new products to support hybrid work and meet workers’ new expectations for the workplace.
Microsoft and LinkedIn announced new research and product innovations to help organisations adapt to hybrid work.
Microsoft and LinkedIn news
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result of the measures taken to contain and manage the health emergency, companies have had to reinvent themselves by adopting alternative working systems, such as smart working. Later, as restrictions were gradually eased and people were able to travel safely again, a hybrid working model became popular, offering the benefits of both remote and face-to-face working.
The key words that emerged from the two surveys are trust and flexibility. These are essential elements for combining a new working paradigm that is far removed from one based on the constant presence of the worker in the office. This is no longer the best solution, either for companies or for employees.
According to two research studies on hybrid work conducted by Microsoft and LinkedIn to help organisations adapt to the new world of work, the results are reassuring. In particular, two converging trends, dubbed ‘The Hybrid Paradox‘ and ‘The Great Reshuffle‘, have been explored and are driving an extraordinary evolution in the way we work.
Exploring hybrid work
Microsoft
Microsoft gathered data and trends on hybrid work from the opinions of 180,000 employees in more than 100 countries for its latest Work Trend Index.
This survey showed that:
- inclusion at Microsoft is at an all-time high of 90%;
- 58% of employees who plan to spend the most of least time in the office plan to do so for the same reason: focused work;
- managers plan to spend a higher share of their time in-office than non-managerial employees (45% vs. 39%).
The statement furher added that LinkedIn surveyed than 500 C-level executives in U.S. and U.K. on how they’re thinking about work today and in the future.
According to the research:
- 81% of leaders have already or are planning to offer employees greater flexibility, reflecting what employees want: 87% prefer to stay remote at least half of the time.
- 58% of leaders feel greater flexibility is good for people and the business;
- 72% of executives believe that training is essential for people to build the skills needed to work effectively in the new hybrid and flexible word environments.
The incoming news
As per the statement, based on their ongoing research and communication with customers, the companies are releasing new product updates across Microsoft Teams, Viva, and Linkedin:
- updates to Microsoft Teams solve for common hybrid pain points and help make hybrid meetings more inclusive and engaging;
- new meeting RSVP and Working Hours features in Outlook make it easier to schedule hybrid meetings and coordinate flexible work hours;
- new search filters on LinkedIn make it easier to search for remote, hybrid and onsite roles;
- nearly 40 unlocked Linkedin Learning make skilling for remote and hybrid jobs easier. LinkedIn is also launching its new skill-building Platform, Linkedin Learning Hub, to help employers identify and promote personalized content for their employees.
