Hybrid Work

Legal and organisational issues in hybrid working

Wieteke Conen

Hybrid work: Legal and organisational issues in hybrid working

Hybrid working, or combining forms of work that is independent of place and time, has quickly become a widely accepted working approach. Alongside its benefits and potential, it also presents drawbacks and challenges. This study delves into inquiries such as: How is hybrid working experienced by employees and employers and what factors influence their experiences (spanning individual, organizational, and legal dimensions)? To what degree do employers and employees come to shared understandings? And where might governmental intervention be deemed necessary?

The project is funded by Instituut Gak for a period of two years, starting in November 2023.

Objectives and research problem

The overarching research inquiry revolves around several questions: What impact does hybrid work have on employee work quality, the financial and non-financial outcomes of companies, and organisational functionality? Furthermore, what legal and organisational prerequisites are necessary to ensure these effects are favourable?

Furthermore, leveraging the insights acquired, the project will contemplate potential actions that various stakeholders can undertake to facilitate the effective implementation of hybrid work within organisations.

Methodology

We will examine the legal frameworks within labour law concerning hybrid work arrangements, explore how hybrid work impacts the quality of work, assess the capacity for employers and employees to negotiate agreements through mutual consultation, and identify areas where additional government regulation may be beneficial. Our methodology involves legal analysis, secondary analyses of existing employee survey data, conducting and analysing an employer survey, and conducting case studies within organisations to understand consultation and participation dynamics. This research primarily contributes to the study of hybrid work's influence on work quality. Furthermore, the project aims to offer stakeholders guidance derived from hybrid work experiences, informing decisions about agreements and potential legislative adjustments to facilitate effective hybrid work arrangements within organisations.

Meet the Team

  • Wieteke Conen

    PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER

  • Niels van der Neut

    RESEARCHER

  • Frank Tros

    RESEARCHER

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