Hybrid Work Model Dominates Israeli Companies Amid Enforcement Challenges
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
A survey of 1,400 Israeli HR executives shows the hybrid work model is dominant, with 30% of companies requiring three office days weekly and another 30% having no fixed requirement. Enforcement of these policies is lax, with most firms relying on trust or informal reminders rather than formal tracking. Despite this, companies are increasingly pushing for more office days, leading to some candidates rejecting job offers due to mandatory attendance. Experts believe the hybrid model offers the best balance for employees and employers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 30% of Israeli companies require employees to work from the office three days a week.
- Most companies (42%) do not formally enforce office attendance policies.
- 18% of companies have faced job offer rejections due to mandatory office presence.
- The hybrid work model remains the preferred choice for most Israeli firms.
- AI has had little impact on companies' decisions regarding physical office presence.
A new survey by global headhunting firm EER Global reveals that the hybrid work model, combining remote and in-office work, remains prevalent among Israeli companies. The survey, conducted in September among 1,400 HR executives from Israeli tech, industrial, and pharma companies, found that 30% of firms require employees to be in the office three days a week, with an equal percentage having no fixed requirement. Another 22% mandate four days a week, while 8.6% require full-time office presence. This requirement has not changed significantly from the previous year.
Most organizations (60%) apply these attendance rules uniformly across all employees, though 23.3% allow variations by department. A significant majority (76.7%) expect full availability from remote workers, mirroring in-office expectations. Despite the prevalence of hybrid policies, many companies struggle with enforcement. Only 16.7% of firms maintain formal attendance tracking, with 42% relying on employee trust and 30.7% using informal reminders from managers. "CEOs want employees close to their eyes and hearts," stated Yiri Gal Burt, Co-CEO of EER Global, noting that daily enforcement is often not a primary metric.
Companies are increasingly looking to bring employees back to the office, with some actively encouraging it through social events and activities, reported by about 30% of respondents. However, nearly one in five companies (18%) have experienced job offer rejections from candidates due to mandatory office attendance. "Candidates are not compromising, but companies are now standing their ground," Gal Burt added. While 52.3% of firms have a non-negotiable attendance policy, 18.7% allow flexibility during recruitment negotiations.
The rise of artificial intelligence has had minimal impact on companies' views regarding physical presence, with over 70% seeing no connection. However, 6.3% believe AI makes physical presence for teamwork and creativity even more crucial. Liran Wolf, owner of Wellspire, emphasized that the hybrid model offers the most balanced solution, mitigating loneliness and fostering a sense of belonging, though her own company operates fully remotely with low turnover, attributing success to strong management and communication.