Middle Eastern companies are embracing hybrid work setups. Nearly half of regional companies in the Middle East now allow a balance of office and remote work, a new survey conducted by executive directory Kestria shows. While employees love the added flexibility, managers are struggling with new challenges, like maintaining communication and ensuring productivity, said Kestria’s managing director and survey author Rania Abdalla.

Why? In the midst of many work trends, the hybrid model has become a crowd favorite among employees, with 65% of company owners agreeing. The catch? Only 11% of companies are offering full freedom right now. Even so, the shift has already made an impact — over half of employees report a better work-life balance, shorter commutes, and less daily stress.

But hybrid work isn’t without its hiccups: For managers, remote work can be a bit tricky — communication is a big challenge, with 44% of managers finding it hard to keep teams aligned without the quick office check-ins. They also have to take the rise of “digital presenteeism” into account — over 70% of managers worry that employees may look logged in but aren’t fully engaged, sparking concerns about productivity and accountability.

How are they doing it? By turning to digital tools — like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom — and a new style of leadership. As hybrid work becomes the new norm, the companies that can strike the right balance between flexibility and traditional values will set the pace in this new era of employment.

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