The transition to hybrid work could lead to new opportunities for sustainable business practices , with benefits for employers , employees , and the planet .
by jared lindzon illustrations by josh cochran
PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC , Julie M ., a client services associate for a financial services company , spent more than two hours and $ 60 most days reverse commuting from her apartment in New York to her office in suburban New Jersey , first by foot , then by train , and then via a rideshare .
When her employer switched to a hybrid work model , however , Julie was finally able to find a space at the company ’ s previously overcrowded Manhattan office , located within walking distance of her home . The transition has allowed her to save time and money , and she says the less populated office has also dramatically reduced its environmental footprint .
“ We ’ re saving paper and energy , and on a personal note , I ’ m no longer taking the train or an Uber — I ’ m walking to and from the office ,” Julie says .
Even with full return-to-office plans still
moving targets , it ’ s clear that the future of work for many will be hybrid , with employees working remotely most or part of the time . Only
6 % of employees worked remotely prior to the pandemic , but
recent studies suggest that 61 % want to work from home at least three days per week moving
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