Microsoft was one of the first companies to send employees home in 2020, as the scope of the pandemic became apparent. Today, the software giant is one of the largest companies to vocally support a hybrid workplace for its 160,000 employees across 21 countries. As a first step, the company soft-opened its Redmond, Washington, headquarters and nearby campuses in late March.
In a recent blog post on the company’s website, Kurt DelBene, Executive Vice President, laid out the philosophy behind its commitment to hybrid work well into the post-pandemic future. The blog reveals Microsoft’s deep understanding of the complexities of hybrid work.
“Looking ahead, we know that hybrid work requires a new operating model and strategy that encompasses flexible work policy, inclusive space design, and innovative technology solutions,” he writes.
In an article on the company’s website titled, “The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?” Microsoft states, “We’re on the brink of a disruption as great as last year’s sudden shift to remote work.” Another key insight from the article highlights hybrid work’s critical role in retaining talent: “With over 40 percent of the global workforce considering leaving their employer this year, a thoughtful approach to hybrid work will be critical for attracting and retaining diverse talent.”
In a world where most work is team-based, hybrid work poses challenges to team functionality. Bridging the physical gaps between team members requires innovative technology and solutions.
Rather than limiting where employees can work, Microsoft embraces the inherently dynamic nature of hybrid work, allowing employees to decide where to work each day. To address potential challenges, the company is innovating its technology tools to help employees navigate remote and hybrid work environments. “We’re supporting the hybrid work evolution through innovations within our technology tools,” DelBene writes.
DelBene outlines the core principles of Microsoft’s hybrid work strategy:
Flexibility by default.
“We view working from home part of the time (less than 50%) as standard for most roles—assuming manager and team alignment.”
Prioritizing inclusivity.
“Microsoft standardizes inclusive design at our global work sites and draws on the full range of human diversity to ensure every office space benefits people universally. Whether employees are working from home, at the workplace, or utilizing outdoor collaboration spaces, our approach creates a sense of belonging and helps teams stay connected.”
Staying open-minded.
“We are adapting to a new way of working with an expanded understanding of flexibility. We know there are thousands of ways of working—our employees have shown what is possible—and we believe flexibility is essential to maintaining work-life balance.”
Seeking feedback and data.
“Frequent and transparent communication with employees is more critical than ever, establishing a meaningful feedback loop that allows us to learn and iterate.”
It’s inspiring to see a major employer not only embrace workplace flexibility but also commit to continuous experimentation, observation, and innovation. Imagine being an employee at a company that resists flexibility. Where would you rather work? Where would you prefer to recruit talent?
The good news is that even companies without Microsoft’s technological resources can adopt similar flexible workplace strategies.
LiquidSpace offers the only enterprise-grade solution to manage hybrid and distributed workplace strategies in one place. LiquidSpace Enterprise allows employees to book corporate and approved third-party workspaces with an easy-to-use mobile interface. Your company can gather critical data and actionable insights to understand employee adoption and usage patterns, spending trends, and ESG impact.
Learn more and request a demo at liquidspace.com.