In a recent INDEX member survey of 46 responding schools:
- 48% allow hybrid work in the Business Office
- 33% allow hybrid work in the Development Office
Pros Reported
- Flexibility improves work-life balance, morale, and retention
- Helps attract candidates, especially those with long commutes
- Productivity can be sustained or improved with clear expectations
Cons Reported
- Creates equity and fairness concerns among staff and faculty
- Risk of weaker connection to colleagues and school mission
- Scheduling and productivity challenges if inconsistently applied
General Observations
- Most schools are fully in-person during the academic year, with limited WFH in summer or for exceptions
- Many are revisiting policies, seeing hybrid as an evolving issue
- Some remain firmly in-person to preserve community and on-campus presence
Voices from the Field
In Favor of Remote/Hybrid Work
“This has been a huge success. There is absolutely no downside. We hire right and then let employees do their best work.”
Against Remote/Hybrid Work
“We feel very strongly that if our office employees were to work remotely, they would lose the sometimes already tenuous connection to the school and its mission that makes us different from a standard for profit workplace. We accept that some people would rather be at home, and that therefore they will not be working here.”