ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the evolution of office workplaces over time and the impact of COVID-19 in accelerating a major shift towards hybrid working models. It discusses how offices have evolved dramatically from the Mad Men era of the 1960s to today’s open-plan designs, influenced by technological advances, social changes and workforce needs. However, human collaboration remains at the core. The pandemic forced a sudden, large-scale shift to working from home, which made people rethink the value of traditional offices. Employees are increasingly appreciating the benefits of flexibility that hybrid or remote work provides. For hybrid organisations to succeed, leaders must foster a culture of trust, provide resources to connect distributed staff, and encourage communication and collaboration regardless of location. The chapter explains how in-person workspaces and virtual environments each improve certain tasks and should be used strategically. In addition to logistics, it emphasises the significance of understanding the symbolic meaning of workplaces. Overall, the chapter gives readers insights into the evolution of offices over time as well as key ideas for transitioning to and managing hybrid organisations in the modern era.
