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Social interaction and fun are "not yet a successful part of hybrid work", according to a researcher, but that doesn't mean employees aren't happier overall.

In her book, Hybrid Happiness: Fun and Freedom in Flexible Work, University of Auckland Business School associate professor Barbara Plester says workplace culture and climate can "determine the types of fun and humour that are shared, can create restraints to humour and fun by determining what is forbidden, and can dictate policies and protocols for human resources or people and culture teams".

"The increasing uptake of hybrid work adds a further layer of complexity as social interaction involving humour and fun may be shared in-person, online, or via a blend of both mediums simultaneously and asynchronously," she notes...