Exploring Hybrid Work Dynamics in Public Organizations: Remote Work and Blended Office-Home Arrangements

The shift to remote work has had a profound impact on the way companies function, recruit staff, and balance their work and personal lives. Technological progress and shifting workplace mindsets have driven the growing importance of remote working and management practices. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated changes to the work procedures of various organisations. Before the pandemic, only 8% of South African workers were able to work entirely from home, whereas a third, or 33%, had access to flexible hybrid arrangements, highlighting the limited nature of remote work choices available. A study was undertaken among public water sector employees in South Africa to further investigate these changes. Data were collected from 93 TCTA staff members, comprising 22 supervisors and 71 subordinates, using a mixed-methods approach involved in-depth questioning. Findings revealed diverse views on productivity in hybrid work environments, with non-supervisory staff indicating greater productivity than their supervisory counterparts. Finding depicted a rise in subordinate productivity in combined work settings, underscoring the significance of collaborative efforts. The difference in perceived productivity levels may stem from varying job roles and responsibilities, highlighting the importance of customised management strategies in mixed work environments. These results provide a foundation for re-examining workplace interactions in Africa and influencing the design of contemporary work settings and business management structures. The TCTA study offers valuable insights into implementing hybrid work models in government settings by introducing remote work policies, regularly updating these policies, and providing training in virtual software systems.