How to make workplace wellbeing less “meh” — whether you’re WFH, hybrid working or back in the office.
September reset, anyone? Summer’s done, schools are back, Jet2’s on sale, and the ‘quirky’ out-of-office brigade is packing up. (Looking at you, Janet, and your “time to recharge in nature.” Date of return will do.)
For some, September is a chance to wipe the slate clean – new routines, new notebooks, new intentions. For others, it’s a creeping dread of inbox avalanches and the return of commuting.
And layered over all of this is the still-unresolved debate: what does the September reset look like in the hybrid working calendar?
Why Balance Matters in Hybrid Working
Companies are still trialling patterns, and even now, there is no definitive answer as to what constitutes the best working pattern. Indeed, four-day weeks are also in the mix. Recently, the Scottish government shared the results of a year-long trial of a four-day work week at two of its public bodies.
In a blindingly obvious conclusion, the study found that a 32-hour workweek without any loss of pay or benefits improved morale, productivity, and employee wellbeing.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for most commercial employers. And it’s not as simple as just reducing hours. Finding balance is essential for both productivity and workplace wellbeing.
Hybrid Working Trends: What the Research Says
A recent Bupa survey asked a sample of Generation Z whether they were happy at work. Four in ten said their work circumstances made them lonely. Many of these respondents had only ever worked at home. So, while for some, fully remote working is a dream, for others it’s a nightmare.
Far from becoming a nation of digital nomads, swanning around the globe and logging on to Teams from their beach huts in Barbados, the reality for many hybrid workers has been a bit more pedestrian. Hybrid working trends show wellbeing and loneliness are still key issues.
The most recent ONS data shows that 28% of Great Britain’s workers were hybrid between January and March 2025. On average, on home-working days, people gained an extra 56 minutes by not commuting — 24 minutes of which were spent on sleep and rest, 15 on exercise.
Maths was never my strong point, but this begs the question: what were these people doing with the other 17 minutes? Baking cupcakes? Watching This Morning?
The Future of Hybrid Working and Workplace Wellbeing
If the original WFH dream has faded, what comes next?
The reality is that there’s no single model that works for everyone. Without boundaries or psychological markers to separate work and home, many people struggle to switch off. Healthy boundaries build resilience at work and protect workplace culture. And while no setup will ever please everyone, fairness and clarity go a long way in helping teams adapt.
So maybe the September reset isn’t about choosing between home and office, but about making whichever setup you have work better for you. A flexible, personalised approach to hybrid working could be the closest thing to utopia. Not one fixed model, but a mindset of tweaking, resetting, and rebalancing – every September… and perhaps every Monday, too.
Tips for Work-Life Balance in Hybrid Working
So how do we make hybrid work, work? Here are some simple resets.
For Individuals
- Set time and space boundaries. Have a separate space that can be closed off at the end of the day. Take breaks. Protect lunch hours.
- Prepare for work. Have a routine. Don’t log in while still in bed. Get up, go for a walk, then start.
- Vary your workplace routine. Use cafés, gyms, or shared spaces when you can — flexibility is about more than pyjamas.
For Leaders and HR: Supporting Workplace Wellbeing
- Agree on clear team rhythms. Anchor days help balance focus time and connection.
- Make wellbeing visible. Encourage breaks, block out no-meeting times, and role-model boundaries.
- Check in, don’t check up. Build trust with conversations, not micromanagement.
- Create social touchpoints. From virtual coffees to Friday breakfasts, keep people connected. Results matter more than whether someone was online at 8:59am.
Final Thought: Reset, Rebalance, Repeat
So maybe the September reset isn’t about choosing between home and office, but about making whichever setup you have work better for you.
If hybrid working really is the new normal, the September reset is our annual chance to reimagine workplace wellbeing and resilience at work.
And if you’re back in the office, humour Ian’s Hadrian’s Wall slideshow or Ange’s Faliraki fling recap. Annoying? Maybe. But it makes their workday brighter.
Laughology has supported brands such as VMO2, HSBC and Starbucks through leadership transformation and cultural change. If you want to talk to one of our change experts, please get in touch with doug@laughology.co.uk
