Beyond laptops and tables: unveiling Singapore’s success in hybrid work through a two-wave gender multigroup analysis of compassionate leadership

Purpose In recent years, hybrid work has become a new working model. Using the job demands-resources, the conservation of resources and social role theories, we investigate gender disparities in the impact of social support at work and perceived organisational support on shaping various aspects of the hybrid work experience. We further explore whether compassionate leadership is effective in generating these forms of support. Design/methodology/approach Our study is based on data collected from 310 Singaporean white-collar professionals through a two-wave method and analysed using PLS-SEM. Findings The results reveal that while compassionate leadership is essential in today's hybrid work environment, men and women perceive differences in the effectiveness of support mechanisms on various dimensions of the hybrid work experience. Originality/value This research represents a pioneering effort in elucidating the potential of compassionate leadership in fostering various resources within organisations. Compassionate leadership, characterised by empathy, care and concern for employees, is shown to be instrumental in generating additional forms of resources beyond the conventional metrics. These additional resources may include emotional support, trust and a sense of belonging among employees, which are crucial for their well-being and performance. Overall, this research contributes to the growing body of literature on leadership and organisational behaviour by shedding light on the significance of compassion in leadership and the intricate dynamics of hybrid work arrangements. It underscores the importance of fostering a supportive and empathetic leadership style to navigate the challenges of contemporary work structures effectively.