RESULTS ARE IN
‘The Pulse of Greater Boston Business’ Survey: Work Environment Policies
January 7, 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
As work environments continue to evolve, understanding the policies and trends shaping the future of work is more important than ever. To shed light on these changes, we launched the first survey in our ‘The Pulse of Greater Boston Business’ series, which will run throughout 2025. This inaugural survey, conducted in December 2024, gathered insights from 120 Greater Boston business professionals in our membership community and across industries. The results provide a snapshot of workplace practices in our region, offering valuable benchmarks for organizations navigating the hybrid, remote, and in-person work landscape.
Work Environment Policies:
The survey revealed that 85% of organizations are currently embracing hybrid models, highlighting flexibility as a cornerstone of modern work policies. Specifically, 28% of respondents reported a hybrid model with more remote work, while 57% indicated a hybrid model with more in-person work. This marks a slight shift towards more in-person work compared to 2021 (when we last surveyed our community), where 37% said their post-pandemic work environment would be more remote and 48% leaned towards more in-person work.
In-Office Days:
Among organizations with hybrid work environments, the number of in-office days varied. The majority (55%) reported that employees typically work in the office for three days per week, followed by 20% for two days, 18% for four days, and 7% for one day. Additionally, 72% of organizations allow employees to choose which days to come into the office, indicating a high level of flexibility in scheduling.
Changes in Work Environment Policies:
The survey also explored the frequency of changes in work environment policies. Within the last six months, 30% of organizations had updated their policies, while 40% had made changes within the last year. This demonstrates a dynamic approach to adapting work policies in response to evolving needs.
Factors Influencing Work Environment Policies:
Key factors influencing current work environment policies included employee preference (68%), productivity (60%), cost savings (24%), health and safety (20%), and office space capacity (17%). Additionally, 26% of respondents selected “Other” and cited additional factors that have impacted their work environment policies, such as employee retention, the ability to hire talent from across the country, culture and employee engagement, and the time and environmental impact of commuting.
Office Space Changes:
In the past 12 months, 71% of organizations made no changes to their office space, while 11% increased their office space, and 4% decreased their space. Looking ahead, 64% of organizations do not plan to change their office space in the next 12 months, while 10% plan to increase it and 6% plan to decrease it.
Navigating the Evolving Workplace:
The insights from the Chamber’s survey provide valuable benchmarks for organizations navigating the evolving work landscape. By understanding these trends, businesses can better adapt their policies to meet the needs of their employees and remain competitive in the changing work environment. The emphasis on flexibility, employee preference, and productivity highlights the importance of creating adaptable and responsive work policies. As we move forward, continuous monitoring and adjustment of these policies will be crucial for sustaining a productive and engaged workforce
Want to get involved or align your brand with this exciting initiative?
We’re offering the unique opportunity to be the exclusive sponsor of The Pulse of Greater Boston Business series. Sponsoring this survey series offers a unique opportunity to elevate your brand, engage with the business community, and gain valuable market insights throughout 2025.
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