Over five years after the pandemic changed how we work, businesses are still adjusting their hybrid work and return-to-office strategies. They’re trying to find a balance between keeping employees happy and hitting key business goals like productivity and profitability, according to Cisco’s research.
At the Cisco Live 2025 conference, they shared insights from the “Navigating Hybrid Work Strategies” study. This study surveyed over 21,000 full-time workers from various industries worldwide. It split respondents into three groups based on their performance: high, average, and low performers.
One key discovery? There’s a growing gap between what employers expect and what employees want, especially as more companies push for in-office work. The findings underline how crucial workplace flexibility is for overall well-being and how important it is to communicate clearly about return-to-office policies.
Cisco noted a shift from their 2022 study, showing fewer people are working in hybrid setups compared to before—dropping from 62% to 45%. However, those who are back in the office report feeling socially and emotionally better. Employers are getting better at crafting hybrid work models that support their staff, but they still struggle with communication and managing different expectations.
Engaging employees in decisions about hybrid arrangements is critical. The data showed that many workers would trade pay for more remote work options, and a significant number reported higher productivity in their current setups. Half of the high performers preferred companies that required them to be in the office less than three days a week.
With hybrid work becoming standard, both employees and employers see collaboration technology as vital for engagement and flexibility. Yet, almost half of the surveyed employees don’t feel like their workflow is smooth across different work settings.
Cisco’s study concluded with calls for action: understand workforce views, prioritize flexibility, build trust, communicate clearly, balance flexibility with office presence, design relevant policies, and future-proof tech offerings. A large percentage of employers recognized the need for better collaboration tools and AI investment. Still, only 49% of employees felt their workflows were seamless. This shows a clear need for improved tech.
At the conference, Jeetu Patel, Cisco’s Chief Product Officer, emphasized how their products aim to bring people closer, a goal they call “distance zero.” He discussed making virtual meetings feel more connected, even if participants are apart.
Patel highlighted how Cisco’s collaboration devices can integrate with Microsoft’s system for a cohesive experience. Major companies are standardizing on Microsoft Teams and Cisco devices, enabling better data collection on office environments.
They’ve made strides in tech, making it simpler for IT administrators to set up devices. New video capabilities aim to provide engaging meeting experiences that keep people’s attention, unlike traditional video calls.
On the innovation front, Cisco is testing an integration with Apple’s Vision Pro headset to create spatial meetings. This setup enhances the meeting experience with high-resolution 3D visuals and allows for more immersive presentations. The Webex team described their partnership with Apple as pivotal for illustrating the possibilities beyond traditional meeting formats.
This new visual technology allows participants’ video feeds to be viewed in a 3D space, enriching interaction and engagement. The goal remains clear: to minimize distance and create a more realistic meeting experience. This spatial tech is targeted for various applications, such as product design, training, and healthcare, and it’s designed to elevate any situation that benefits from a immersive visual experience.