South Africans have spoken out about their attitudes towards the hybrid format of work

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many people work. The hybrid format, a flexible model that supports a combination of office and remote working, is becoming increasingly popular.

For South Africans, this particular format of work can lead to improved mental, physical and financial well-being. This is according to the latest Cisco Global Hybrid Work Report, a study on the impact of hybrid work around the world.

The report, which involved 28,000 full-time employees in 27 countries, showed that most people had improved their productivity as well as their well-being, work-life balance, relationships and even personal confidence.

"While initially, many employees were challenged by the sudden shift to hybrid and remote working arrangements, our study shows that two years on, as businesses have pivoted to survive, hybrid work has yielded many positive and lasting benefits for both employers and employees. In fact, this mode of working has become the norm and is set to stay," the report says.

Survey respondents worked in a wide range of industries, including agriculture, consumer goods, construction and engineering, education, financial services, civil service, healthcare, IT, technology and telecommunications, media and communications, tourism and hospitality.

According to South African employees surveyed, 86 percent believe that hybrid and remote working has improved all aspects of their well-being, a figure higher than the global average of 78 percent.

Just over 60 percent also reported that this type of work saved them at least four hours per week, while 27 percent said that working from home saved them eight hours or more per week.

India (53.3 percent) and South Africa (47.9 percent) had the highest number of respondents who reported 'significant improvement' in well-being.

South Africa was also among the countries where employees are most supportive of working fully remotely - 33.5 percent.

Today, many of us live in a high-speed world, leaving little time to spend with our loved ones. It is therefore not surprising that more than half (52 percent) of South Africans surveyed turned their free time at a hybrid job into 'time spent with family, friends and pets'.

Almost 90 percent of those surveyed also said that this work model had improved their family relationships and 56 percent said it had improved relationships with friends.

In addition, the hybrid format has also had a positive impact on people's financial, mental and physical wellbeing:

- Just over 80 percent of South Africans said this work model has helped them save money, and 92 percent expect these savings can be sustained in the long term;

- Over 90 percent of South Africans said hybrid work has made them happier, and 67 percent said it has helped reduce stress levels;

- About 70 percent of South Africans surveyed believe they exercise more when working remotely;

- The eating habits of most respondents have also improved.