One Company A/B Tested Hybrid Work. Here’s What They Found | Harvard Business Review

This new article by Nick Bloom and his colleagues shares findings from a study conducted at Trip.com, a leading global travel company, analyzing how hybrid work impacts various outcomes. In a six-month A/B test, 1,600 China-based employees in marketing, finance, accounting, and engineering were randomly assigned to either a five-day or three-day office schedule. After the experiment, performance reviews and attrition data were tracked over the next two years. While the study found no significant differences in productivity, performance review ratings, or promotions between the groups, it did show notable improvements in job satisfaction and a 35% reduction in quit rates among hybrid employees—particularly for women, non-managers, and those with long commutes. This reduction saved millions in recruitment and training costs. The article highlights three key components behind Trip.com’s successful hybrid work implementation, including coordinated in-office schedules on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you missed it, check out several resources, including academic research presentations on remote and hybrid work from the October 9-11, Implications of Remote Work Conference.