Irish firms crack down on ‘hushed hybrid’ work arrangements

DUBLIN, IRELAND — Irish companies are witnessing a shift in how remote work arrangements are managed, with organizations moving to centralize decision-making power away from local managers. 

This change comes as a response to the growing phenomenon of “hushed hybrid” arrangements, where individual managers quietly approve working arrangements that deviate from official company policies.

The transition represents a 10% increase in centralized decision-making regarding flexible and remote work policies, according to recent findings from CIPD’s annual HR Practices in Ireland survey.

Productivity insights

The online survey, which collected over 230 responses between November and December 2024, reveals a complex picture of workplace productivity under different working models. While 28% of organizations reported increased productivity under hybrid arrangements, an equal percentage observed decreased productivity in fully remote settings.

Currently, workplace attendance patterns show that approximately one-third of organizations require employees to be on-site for two days per week, with a similar proportion mandating three days of office presence.

Equity and management challenges

Mary Connaughton, CIPD Ireland Director, emphasizes the challenges these informal arrangements create: “This can provoke dissatisfaction and even conflict among employees where some groups have to follow company policy more closely. It can also lead to inequalities, for example, if parents are seen to benefit from more days working from home than those without caring responsibilities”.

According to Hatim Rahman, an assistant professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, managers might relax enforcement to maintain productivity and employee happiness. 

“From an organization’s standpoint, they may have an overall policy, but some managers may not enforce it as strictly as long as the results are being produced,” Rahman noted.

As the workplace continues to evolve, experts suggest that employers should consider the diverse needs of their workforce when crafting RTO policies. The survey indicates that while 15% of organizations increased on-site requirements in 2024, with 11% planning similar increases, the majority – two-thirds of companies – maintain their current office attendance policies. 

Rahman emphasized, “These decisions reflect a lot about organizational culture and the level of trust between employees and managers and upper-level management.”