Increased job satisfaction and happiness are the two main reasons employees gave in support of a hybrid work model
CHINA’S Trip.com Group has implemented a global hybrid work model where employees are given the option to work remotely on certain days each week starting from March 1.
The company said in a statement that it is “the first internet company in mainland China to implement a comprehensive proactive hybrid work model.”
The model is being rolled out to employees across the travel group, beginning with offices in mainland China. Employees have the option to apply to work remotely during fixed times, subject to management discretion.
For Trip.com Group’s global offices, the model will be implemented according to local circumstances and Covid-19 protection measures.
Prior to the launch, Trip.com Group conducted two localised hybrid work trials in 2010 and 2021. Each focused on different groups of staff and working models. The 2010 trial, which saw volunteers work from home for some time, showed an increase in work performance and a decrease in labour turnover rates.
Results from the most recent trial in August 2021 with over 1,600 participants showed that after six months employees’ willingness to participate rose to nearly 60%, while turnover rate dropped by about one-third with no significant impact on performance. 93% of the employees said they used their time more efficiently, and 75% reported an improvement in their wellness.
“The promotion of hybrid working is a multi-win for companies, employees and society,” said James Liang, chairman of the board at Trip.com Group. “Not only does it improve employee satisfaction without compromising efficiency, it also helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental protection, alleviates high housing prices and regional disparities, and contributes to families, female career development and higher fertility rates.
“We hope that hybrid work models will be promoted more across mainstream Chinese companies in the future, which will have a positive and far-reaching impact on society and economy.”
With a significant drop in labour turnover and nearly 80% of employees saying the hybrid model is conducive to improved wellness and work-life balance, the group stated the model fits with its Employee Value Proposition to “live for more than work” and “to truly lead a full life in and out of the office”.
A company survey before and after the 2021 trial showed change in staff attitude, with employees and supervisors getting more optimistic about hybrid work. Those who do not support the working model dropped from 1% to 0.1%, the neutrals decreased by 5.3%, while supporters increased by 6.3% to nearly 60%.
According to Trip.com Group, increased job satisfaction and happiness are the two main reasons behind the employees’ support of a hybrid work model. Over 93% of employees agreed that it reduced travel time, 78% felt it is conducive to an improved work-life
A post-trial survey revealed 71.9% of employees believed hybrid working has no impact on performance, an improvement of 3.8% on responses before the trial. This sentiment was higher among supervisors at 76%.
In 2013 Liang, in collaboration with the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, published a research paper in The Quarterly Journal of Economics showing the positive effects of hybrid work.
“Companies should be more open and proactive in embracing a hybrid work model. “In terms of improving employee satisfaction, increasing business efficiency and reducing travel time, a hybrid work model can profoundly affect the wellness of employees and improve their work life balance,” he commented.
Jennifer Cao, Trip.com’s head of organisation development, talent development and organisation culture, added. “By implementing this new work model we are truly living up to our Employee Value Proposition, affording everyone to lead a full life in and outside the office.”
