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Boundaries drive success​

Discover why, while examining current trends and policies​

Person using tablet at art-filled table in bright, flexible remote workspace; exercise bike in background.

Boundaries drive success​

Discover why, while examining current trends and policies​

Person using tablet at art-filled table in bright, flexible remote workspace; exercise bike in background.

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Boundaries between professional and personal lives are becoming harder to maintain in the new world of work. ​

This article will explore the importance of clear boundaries in a flexible workspace, examining current trends such as government regulations and corporate policies that support boundary setting in a hybrid work model. It will also discuss how businesses can enable employees to create effective boundaries through policy and technology, offering insights into how organizations can foster a more sustainable and focused work culture.

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Company Success Hinges on Boundaries in Hybrid Work Models

The numbers don't lie: the time to reimagine hybrid work models and unlock employees' full potential is now.

28%

of knowledge workers report having a healthy relationship with work.

74%

of business leaders agree we’ve reached a critical point to redefine work

87%

of employes are willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary to secure solutions to not feel tied to their devices at all hours

According to the 2024 HP Work Relationship Index (WRI),1 only 28% of knowledge workers report having a healthy relationship with work. This highlights a crucial disconnect between what employees need to feel fulfilled at work, in their personal lives and what their workplaces currently provide. 74% of business leaders agree we’ve reached a critical point to redefine work – a 7% increase from 2023 – making this the opportune moment to act. ​
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The rise of remote work or a hybrid model has given employees greater flexibility in where and how they work through productivity and collaboration technology but continues to blur the lines between their professional and personal lives. This shift offers businesses a chance to rethink workplace culture, creating environments where employees excel while achieving new levels of creativity and engagement resulting in higher productivity. The key? Setting clear boundaries in hybrid work models that enable employee well-being to bolster business success. ​
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Lawmakers around the world have taken action to address the challenge of maintaining proper workplace boundaries within the hybrid work model. Countries like France and Australia have passed “right to disconnect” laws that limit after-hours work communications, giving employees the freedom to recharge. While the United States has yet to follow suit, states like California are exploring similar measures. ​
​
Employees value solutions such as these that allow them to personalize their work experience and not feel tied to their devices at all hours, so much so that 87% are willing to sacrifice a portion of their salary to secure them, with Gen Z willing to give up as much as 19%. This underlines the importance of investing in systems that prioritize individual needs when working towards implementing a healthy hybrid work model.

Why Boundaries Drive Hybrid Work Success

Clear boundaries – in collaboration with policies and technologies for hybrid ways of working – aren’t just a nice-to-have; they’re a strategic advantage that directly impacts creativity, productivity, and employee loyalty.
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This is about more than improving balance – it’s about addressing a systemic issue that’s affecting the future of work itself. By creating conditions where employees flourish, businesses build a foundation for long-term growth.

Fostering innovation

When employees can disconnect and recharge, they return with fresh ideas, rejuvenated creativity, and renewed focus.

Boosting productivity

Defined work hours enable deeper concentration, resulting in more efficient workflows and higher quality outcomes. ​

Promoting work-life harmony​

Empowering employees to prioritize personal relationships, hobbies, and self-care reduces burnout and enhances overall satisfaction.​

Strengthening retention ​

Employees who feel respected and valued are more loyal, motivated, and committed to staying with the organization.​

Best Practices for Remote Work & Hybrid Work Boundaries​

To meet the moment, organizations can implement proactive and practical strategies with their hybrid work model that empower employees while fostering a healthier, more productive culture.​

Leverage smarter technology

Use collaboration tools that safeguard employees’ time, such as those that promote asynchronous communication or delay after-hours messages.​

Lead by example

Leadership sets the tone. When executives model healthy boundaries, it empowers teams to do the same and shapes the workplace culture​

Equip employees for success ​

Provide home office stipends or guidance on creating dedicated and ergonomic office setups to reinforce physical and mental separation between work and personal life.​

Normalize work hours​

Encourage employees to define their working hours, follow those schedules, and avoid reaching out afterhours unless it’s urgent. ​

Two colleagues collaborating on a digital project using a computer and drawing tablet in a flexible, tech-enabled flexible workspace.

“In today’s hybrid work environment, establishing clear boundaries between professional and personal life is essential. The convergence of AV and IT technologies facilitates seamless communication, but without defined boundaries, the risk of burnout increases. This is why it’s important for organizations to implement policies and technologies that support employees in maintaining a healthy balance.”​

— Tim Albright, President of AVNation Media.

Rebuilding Work to Work for Everyone​

The hybrid work model offers unprecedented flexibility, but without proper systems and technology in place, it risks becoming unsustainable and costly. To address today’s challenges, the future of work requires a fundamental shift – one that prioritizes the individual worker and their unique needs. With two-thirds of leaders agreeing that this is a pivotal moment to redefine work and so many employees valuing personalization over other benefits, the urgency to act is clear. ​

Thriving businesses are built on thriving people. By prioritizing employees’ needs today, companies can pave the way for a more dynamic and sustainable future of work.

Learn how the right technology can reshape the work experience.

Learn how the right technology can reshape the work experience.

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Disclaimers

  1. The 2024 HP Work Relationship Index: HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) that fielded between May 10 – June 21, 2024 in 12 countries: the US, France, India, UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,600 respondents in total – 12,000 knowledge workers (1,000 in each country); 2,400 IT decision makers (200 in each country); and 1,200 business leaders (100 in each country).
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