Social Well-Being Strategies for Academics Working in a Hybrid Work Environment

The hybrid work environment significantly undermines the social well-being of employees in the workplace. Existing research predominantly addresses academics’ well-being challenges without offering practical strategies to counter these issues. This study identifies strategies that higher education institutions must adopt to enhance the social well-being of their academics in hybrid work settings. It employs Demerouti’s Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and Baumeister and Leary’s theory of the need to belong as its theoretical framework. Using a cross-sectional qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were guided by an interview schedule to gather data. The sample comprised 23 academics from three campuses of North-West University, and thematic analysis was utilized to analyse the data. The study revealed that growth strategies, such as training, development, and mentoring, are crucial for fostering a sense of belonging, strengthening work relationships, and helping academics connect in a hybrid work environment. Support strategies like providing peer support, management support, physical resources, effective communication, and improvements in job quality enhance academics’ social well-being in this setting. Relationship strategies, which entail organizing social events and promoting a positive organizational culture, are key to encouraging social well-being in the hybrid work environment. Additionally, reward strategies, such as recognition and direct compensation, are essential for reinforcing a sense of belonging, improving work relationships, and enhancing social connections in a hybrid work environment. Intentional, coach-oriented, sensible, and inclusive leadership is vital. The findings offer valuable insights for higher education institutions to adopt a more comprehensive approach to managing the well-being of academic employees. This highlights the need to focus not only on mental and psychological health but also on social well-being.