Employee Well-being, Remote Work, and Productivity in Hybrid Work Models

Abstract

The global shift to remote work that began in 2020 marked an abrupt break from long-standing workplace norms, accelerating large-scale adoption of remote and hybrid models. This paper explores how these arrangements influenced employee productivity and engagement between 2021 and 2024, a period when many organizations aimed to stabilize operations after extended workplace disruptions. Using large-sample quantitative surveys complemented by detailed qualitative interviews across eight industries from manufacturing to creative sectors the study maps this transition. Findings indicate that most participants either sustained or improved their output when working from home, with particularly strong results in technology, finance, and media roles. Engagement followed a similar trajectory, peaking in hybrid settings where occasional in-person interaction helped refresh team cohesion. Nonetheless, several persistent challenges emerged: weakened avenues for informal communication, feelings of social detachment, and waning intrinsic motivation affected nearly half of respondents. External reports from Gallup, McKinsey, Buffer, Owl Labs, and Microsoft align with these outcomes, forming a consistent picture of evolving organisational dynamics. Overall, the evidence shows that remote work boosts productivity and engagement when supported by clear policies, reliable digital tools, and sustained managerial guidance.