Date of Publication :01st January 2025

Abstract: The transition to hybrid working models has become a defining feature of modern employment, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explores the impact of hybrid working arrangements on employee work stress and performance, filling a significant gap in existing literature. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from 300 employees from different industries through surveys and in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that while hybrid work might be flexible and increase the job satisfaction of most workers, it poses new unique challenges that tend to deepen work-related stress. Specifically, the blurring between work and personal life as well as feelings of being isolated and inability to get through to colleagues easily were all identified as critical stressors. Thirdly, the study reveals the subtleties regarding performance impacts of hybrid working conditions; while some employees reveal that they have increased their productivity due to flexible conditions of work, others decrease their performance because of distu rbances at home and lack of direct supervision. The implications are that organizational support systems, such as mental health, communication strategies, and related stressors, are factors that can help mitigate stresses as well as enhance performance under hybrid working conditions. Ultimately, the study requires that organizations develop approaches tailored to the varied experiences of their hybridized workforce for gaining leverage from flexible work options while minimizing drawbacks. Implications for management practice and for future research directions are discussed, informing organizations about how to navigate the hybrid conundrums related to work.

Index Terms: Hybrid Work Models, Employee Stress, Job Performance, Work-Life Balance, Flexibility, Communication Challenges, Organizational Support, Employee Well-being.

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