Why Hybrid Work is Still a Mess

HR Data Labs

Ranya Nehmeh, HR Strategist and Adjunct Professor at FHWien der WKW in Vienna, Austria, and Peter Cappelli, Professor of Management and Director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School, join us this week to discuss some of the topics covered in their book, In Praise of the Office. We explore the current tumultuous state of Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates, why "hybrid" work is often failing to deliver on its promises, and the critical need for intentional management to foster human connection.

[0:00] Introduction

• Welcome, Ranya and Peter!
• Today’s Topic: The Realities of Hybrid Work

[9:15] The messiness of Return-to-Office (RTO) today

• Why the media narrative often contradicts the realities of small business data.
• Why the definition of “hybrid” varies per organization.

[19:03] Is work actually getting done remotely?

• Distinguishing between hitting individual KPIs and maintaining organizational health.
• The deterioration of meeting culture and the rise of "cameras off" apathy.
• The loss of social norms and the difficulty of resolving conflict without face-to-face interaction.

[29:50] Do policies need to change for the new world of work?

• Addressing proximity bias and its impact on promotions and career development.
• Why treating hybrid work the same as traditional office work is a management failure.
• Understanding the winners and losers of remote work, particularly for younger or newly onboarded employees.

[46:23] Closing

• Thanks for listening!

Quick Quote

“If you really want people to come back into the office, you have to do it with intentionality.”