Different locations, same destination : Creating a sense of belonging in hybrid work environments.

Abstract: Covid-19 made working from home more accessible, and even after the pandemic is over, numerous organizations in Sweden have made the choice to continue work from home through so-called hybrid work models. This study is done in a co-creation with a large Swedish retail company, ICA that uses the hybrid model.  The study examines how the hybrid work model has affected office workers' sense of belonging through a survey consisting of a quantitative and a qualitative part. The effect on social, professional, and environmental sense of belonging is examined in this research. The study also investigates how and if factor such as gender, age, and length of employment have affected the sense of belonging for office worker. The results of the study show that the change to the hybrid work mode has influenced the sense of belonging for the office worker. The effects on social belonging are found to be both beneficial and detrimental, while the influence on professional sense of belonging whit the implementation of the hybrid work model is showing mostly beneficial outcomes. The impact on environmental belonging is that the office is preserved as more of a social workplace where ideas are exchanged, social contacts are held, whilst the home office is space where work can be done in peace and without distractions.