Two Types of Hybrid Workers:How Preferences Relate to Personal Characteristics, Living Conditions, and Workplace Satisfaction

Abstract

Background and Aim. In hybrid working, employees have the flexibility to choose between working from home or at the office. While previous studies have examined workplace preferences for hybrid working, less is known about whether distinct preference groups of employees can be identified and how these groups relate to individual characteristics, living conditions and current workplacesatisfaction.Methods and Data. This study conducted a discrete choice experiment with 1,258 employees from the Municipality of Amsterdam. Latent class analysis was applied to examine distinct workplace preferences among employees.Results. This study reveals two distinct types of hybrid workers, home- and office-preferring. It shows that gender does not play a significant role, while age, education level, living conditions, and satisfaction with current home and office workplaces predict to which of these classes a worker is most likely to belong. Originality. This study provides novel insights by identifying two distinct hybrid workplace preference classes linked to their personal characteristics, living conditions, and workplace satisfaction levels. Practical Implications. Employees over the age of 55, with lower levels of education, living with children (and with a partner), and dissatisfied with their current office but satisfied with their homeworkplace, show a strong preference for working from home. In contrast, younger employees with higher levels of education, living alone, satisfied with their office environment, and dissatisfied with the home workplace tend to prefer working at the office. These findings provide insights in preferences for office- and home-workplace settings, which can guide workplace designers to better support hybrid work.