Cincinnati Business Courier: Hybrid work likely to stick around

UC professor notes positives and negatives to online and in-person work

Many large employers in downtown Cincinnati’s Central Business District have embraced a hybrid work format as the impact of COVID-19 wanes.

Elaine Hollensbe, PhD, department head and professor of management at the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business, told the Cincinnati Business Courier that some version of hybrid work is likely here to stay. 

Elaine Hollensbe professional headshot

Elaine Hollensbe, PhD, department head and professor of management at the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

“I think there's been a tendency to go right down the middle with a hybrid way of resuming work, recognizing the advantages of each form of work (in-person and online) and the tradeoffs,” Hollensbe said.  

Though a schedule that balances flexibility and freedom for employees can be beneficial, Hollensbe explained that a fully online arrangement can serve as an impediment to building culture and community.

“You don't have these kinds of serendipitous, water-cooler conversations (online), where people come up with new ideas, bond and team build,” she said. “So, doing a little bit of both gives them the advantages of both.”

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