HYBRID: TOMORROW'S BLUEPRINT OF WORK

Between remote work and Return to Office (RTO), corporations and startups have found a sweet spot with hybrid work. Entrepreneur India dives deeper into this policy and its impact on both market players and employees.

- BY PAROMITA GUPTA

Work-life balance is often referred to as having equal time or priority for both personal and professional activities. Before 2019, the world largely worked on a 100 per cent traditional office-based setup, which required employees to be physically present at their workplace. In 2025, that setup looks different, courtesy of the options of remote and hybrid (a mixed model of in-office and remote work) also being available.

Why Hybrid?

Project Management Institute (PMI), in 2024, reported that about 44 per cent of Indian organisations have adopted a hybrid work model, with only 10 per cent working remotely. Among such organisations is HP, an American information technology company. “Our model combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, and internal surveys show it improves both satisfaction and retention,” shares Binu Mathew, Head of People, HP Inc. - India Market.

Similarly, DHL, a German multinational package delivery and supply chain management company, recognised an evolving workforce as a key megatrend as part of its Strategy 2030. “As part of an evolving workforce, we recognise the changing demographics and expectations of our colleagues. We want to ensure that our colleagues can balance work and life,” shares Sunjoy Dhaawan, VP-Human Resources, DHL Express India.

According to a 2024 Unispace report, about 97 per cent of employees and 98 per cent of employers in India expressed satisfaction with the hybrid work model, which is notably higher than the global averages of 87 per cent and 95 per cent, respectively.