Hybrid Working: A Model Worth Fighting For
We have long championed the hybrid working model, even before COVID. It has transformed the working lives of many, bringing genuine inclusion and flexibility. Parents with young children, disabled professionals who struggle with commuting, and countless others have benefited from a system that simplifies life without sacrificing productivity.
However, something has gone wrong. As we step into 2025, more major businesses are pushing for full-time office returns, and we can see why. Our stance has shifted slightly: "Hybrid is great, but only if it is set up and maintained properly." This way of working cannot be neglected. It requires consistent effort from both organisations and individuals to remain viable.
Where It’s Going Wrong
A recent thread on Mumsnet was a painful eye-opener. A question about what people really do when "working from home" unleashed a torrent of responses revealing a concerning reality. Many admitted to doing just 3-4 hours of work a day, filling the rest of their time with household chores, school runs, dog walks, and DIY projects. We were amazed no one admitted to running a sizeable side-hustle - so many were missing a trick!
Let’s be clear: if we’re being paid for eight hours but working less than half of that, something is amiss. Unless an organisation is severely overstaffed, this falls far short of what is reasonable. What about supporting a colleague who’s struggling, taking on an additional project, or proactively solving problems across teams? These things drive individual growth, company performance, and the overall economy. The UK has high employment but stagnant productivity - the reason is obvious. More people are being paid but are producing less en masse.
Aside from the overall picture, we were deeply concerned for individuals. On the one hand, some felt pretty pleased with themselves for getting one over their employer...least said, soonest mended for now. But they also totally lacked any enthusiasm about the work they were completing at home. They were straddling two untenable sides - taking the Michael, and feeling disengaged and unfulfilled. As performance specialists, we know how this ends.
Reversing the Decline
This is not irreversible. Poor habits have crept in, but they can be corrected. Here’s how:
1. Focus
Life happens, and sometimes, reasonably, personal matters need to be handled during working hours. In the past, we’d have had to take time off for these, so this is progress. But, otherwise, the key is to ensure that focus remains sharp the majority of the time. Even small distractions chip away at concentration. We might think a quick household task won’t break our workflow, but it does. A simple five-minute job can easily spiral into a massive mental detour. Preserving focus ensures that work isn't just completed - it’s work done well.
2. Mindset
A dedicated workspace is essential. During COVID, the emphasis was on having a place to leave at the end of the day. Now, it’s equally important to have a place to join at the start. Sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by domestic tasks isn’t conducive to deep concentration. There are some amazing solutions for creating a workspace in small spaces; this one really caught our eye: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aiehnid-Drop-Leaf-Floating-Computer-kithchen/dp/B0C13L3S65?th=1
Dressing for work also helps. One of our team members, Heather, works remotely due to disability and follows the practice of dressing in a work-appropriate outfit to create a mental boundary between home and work. This isn’t about formality - it’s about mindset. It’s far easier to stay focused (and avoid doing grubby chores) when you're in work apparel.
3. Communication
Too often, people defer important discussions until they’re in the office. This is unnecessary. It's a matter of obtaining the skills you need, rather than believing that some discussions are better in person. Any conversation that can happen in person can happen just as well online, including difficult negotiations and performance discussions. Avoiding these conversations until an office day slows progress and creates unnecessary delays.
4. Collaboration
Many businesses are bringing employees back because collaboration has suffered. Out of sight shouldn't mean out of mind. It takes minimal effort to think, "Who haven’t I spoken to recently?" A 30-minute catch-up call can lead to unexpected solutions, new ideas, and stronger connections across teams. Spontaneous problem-solving should not be restricted to office days.
5. Make the Right Choice for You
Not everyone thrives in the same setup. A form of hybrid suits a majority people, but certainly not all. Be honest about what works for you and choose the work environment that supports your success. However, if you choose the office, you're still part of the solution for those working from home. You should hold them to the same high standards as you have hold for yourself, because it is vital to not create divisions in the workplace.
Boosting Productivity the Smart Way
A common misconception is that home working should be reserved for repetitive, mundane tasks. This is wrong and only increases the temptation to procrastinate. The solution? Reduce tedious tasks altogether and drive up accuracy at the same time, through careful automation.
AI is not about shrinking four hours of work into two. It’s about transforming four dull hours into a full day of meaningful, engaging work. We’re not in the “AI will solve everything” camp - we're not even in the same campsite - but we do believe that much of the repetitive workload in organisations can be automated, especially within controlled, internal AI systems.

We are now qualified to run the AI Maturity Index, helping individuals, teams, and businesses assess their readiness for automation. The aim isn’t to replace human effort but to free people up for work that adds genuine value. The old saying "rubbish in, rubbish out" applies both to open and closed AI systems, but when AI is introduced correctly within an organisation, the results can be game-changing for everyone.
Hybrid Working: At a Crossroads
For those in large organisations, hybrid working is at risk. Some companies have failed to actively support it and now see it as easier to abandon rather than fix. However, individuals must also take responsibility for putting in high-quality, focused work from home. The good news? AI is making it easier to eliminate boring tasks, allowing hybrid workers to maximise their productivity. If we all step up - by focusing, communicating, and embracing the right tools - hybrid working doesn’t have to fade away.
Support from OPCoachUK
Watch out for our upcoming Hybrid toolkits - one for individuals, one for managers. We'll focus on the behaviours and attitudes that allow teams to get the best from this invaluable working pattern. We can also train teams on several essential tools, including conducting difficult conversations and negotiations online, tailored entirely to your organisation and sector. Please reach out to start a discussion.
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