Around 60% of companies are experiencing a drop in employee engagement when using hybrid work models, according to a recent survey by Zoom.

The survey revealed that 84% of organisations in the Asia Pacific region have adopted either hybrid or remote working models. Encouragingly, 83% of employees stated they are most productive in a hybrid setting, and 87% of leaders in the region believe that increasing productivity is the top priority when choosing the best work style for their company. However, the survey, which included over 600 IT and C-suite leaders and nearly 1,900 knowledge workers globally (including 604 in the Asia Pacific), also found that 60% of leaders report a decline in employee engagement due to the hybrid approach.

“Workplace flexibility is not only becoming more common in the APAC region but also more diverse, ranging from flexible hours to location, role, and even rotation-based models,” said Ricky Kapur, Head of Asia Pacific at Zoom. “Leaders today face the challenge of finding the best-fit hybrid model while meeting the evolving expectations of a multi-generational workforce and adapting to rapidly advancing technologies like AI.”

Generative AI’s role in boosting productivity

The survey also highlighted the impact of AI on the workplace. A significant majority (81%) of employees believe that their organisation’s current tools and technology for remote work need improvement—the highest rate among the regions surveyed. However, organisations are already benefiting from AI adoption: 85% of APAC leaders believe generative AI has made their workforce more productive, and 69% of employees agree that “generative AI makes it easier to do my job.”

Despite these benefits, significant challenges remain. The survey found that:

• 70% of employees believe generative AI has a steep learning curve.
• 63% are not yet comfortable with using generative AI.
• 55% are concerned that generative AI could negatively impact their job or position.

“While our study shows that APAC leaders generally recognise the productivity benefits of adopting AI at work, many are not fully utilising its potential,” Kapur added. “As organisations seek to smooth the transition to hybrid working models, AI is a critical tool that can help employees collaborate better and feel more connected.”

Kapur also emphasised that beyond direct productivity gains, leaders should explore more AI use cases to engage, inform, and connect employees, which is crucial for building and maintaining company culture amid changing workplace dynamics.