The ‘Ways of Working’ report from Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) and law firm CMS indicates that the trend of there being no dominant model for hybrid working has continued, with firms now differing significantly in their approaches to suit their own business model.

Despite hybrid working becoming standard practice, and being offered by 96% of firms, what it actually looks like varies from organisation to organisation.

The research found that around two-fifths (41%) of respondents have a formal written policy, while three-fifths (59%) have an informal approach. Approximately two-thirds (64%) of respondents do not have set office days, with them instead being decided on a team/businesses basis.

The findings also showed that some firms are opting to be more office-centric, with qualitative responses showing that many believe offices play an important role in shaping culture and improving productivity.

Further, it was found that businesses are largely using a ‘carrot’ rather than a ‘stick’ to lure employees back into the office, with nearly three-quarters (70%) of respondents offering some form of incentive including free or subsidised meals and social events.

When it comes to recruitment and retention, 85% of respondents referenced their hybrid working policy during the recruitment process.

Speaking on hybrid working and the new research, Sandy Begbie, chief executive at Scottish Financial Enterprise, said: “There has been a lot of adjustment over the past few years to ensure that both employers and employees feel the benefits of hybrid working.

“While it’s clear we are still in a period of transition, it’s positive to see that businesses are becoming more assured in what successful hybrid models look like for them.

“There is no one size fits all and businesses are finding different solutions that reflect the diversity of people’s working preferences and requirements.”

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Gillian MacLellan, partner in the CMS UK employment team, further commented: “Clients still consult us regularly on hybrid working, with the most common query relating to employees who are refusing to return to the office.

“It is clearly a difficult balance to get right and the fact the survey indicates there is no ‘norm‘ probably reflects that organisations are all trying to find the right balance.”