Hybrids work at risk of alienating younger staff unless the manager takes action

• More than half of employees under 35 said hybrid work made them feel less connected to their organization.
• The older generation, meanwhile, is twice as possible to see hybrid work as the best benefits at work.
• A 1,000 British employee survey conducted by HR Iris Software Group technology providers.

London, England, September 8, 2025 – A new study of 1,000 British employees has raised questions about whether business disappoints junior talents with hybrid work practices, with 51% under the 35s saying the policy makes them feel less connected to their organization.

Research, by the Human Resources Technology Provider Iris Software Group, revealed how more than half (52%) from 18-24 years and 49%of younger millennium (25-34s) recognized that hybrid work made them feel less connected to their employers-compared with only a quarter (25%) more than 55s that said the same thing.

This finding highlights the concern that long distance work may seize younger employees from important initial career experiences, from building workplace connections to learning professional skills through face -to -face interactions. This informal learning opportunity – observing senior colleagues, practicing presentation skills, and receiving direct feedback – traditionally becomes the basis of professional development.

Younger workers are also less likely to see hybrid policy as the best benefits at work, with only 9% of children aged 18-24 years surveyed by Iris who saw it like that. This is compared with 17% who said the same thing averaged, with employees aged 45-55 years twice as much as possible than younger employees to support hybrid work (22%).

A generous vacation allowance (18%) and financial welfare support (17%) is the top that is sought for the benefits of the workplace for children aged 18-24 years. However, this study suggested that the younger cohort might not get the benefits they want, with children aged 18-24 years to be the most dissatisfied with how they benefit in accordance with their current stages of life (59% compared to an average of 69%).

Stephanie Kelly, head of the officer in iris, said: “Hybrid work inherent is not a problem. The problem is that many managers have not been given the right training or tools to lead the team decentralized effectively. And that is a younger staff who pay the price.

“The initial career was built more than just doing work. This is a corridor conversation, witnessing how senior colleagues handle complicated situations, practicing your tone to someone before a big meeting. When young professionals work from their bedrooms, they lose the irreplaceable AHA moments that come from just around others.

“The solution is not to leave hybrid work, but to get smarter about it. Managers need real support to keep the team connected, motivated and supported, regardless of location. Is that through digital learning platforms, structured guidance, or more intentional about direct time, we must bridge the gap of this relationship before we lose the talent generation.

IRIS research found that Gen Z employees felt at least supported: only 56% believe their company cared about their own belonging, compared to 77% of 25-34 years and 78% of 35-44 years.

Stephanie Kelly added: “What is interesting is that Gen Z appreciates a very large balance of work life, but not by sacrificing their development. They want both. While older colleagues may see hybrid as the most important thing, younger staff will often trade some of the flexibility for more holidays or better financial support.

“Smart business will stop assuming everyone wants the same thing and start adjusting their approach. Those who do will see the differences in the level of retention, productivity, and in the end, the point.”

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*A 1,000 British employee survey conducted by the Sensuswide, on behalf of Iris Software Group, between May 29 and 2 June 2025

About the IRIS software group
Iris Software Group is a global provider of Mission Critical Software and one of the largest private software companies in the UK. IRIS provides software solutions and services for financial teams, human resources and payrolls, educational organizations, and accounting companies that eliminate pain from the process and enable professionals to focus on the work they like. Through simplifying, automating, and providing insights about important tasks for daily missions for organizations of all forms and sizes, Iris ensures customers can wait for certainty and confidence.

Iris is the biggest third -party online filter with the British government. Ninety -three of the 100 top British accounting companies use iris software. One in six British workers is paid by IRIS salary offers, and globally, six million employees receive their payslip through iris software every month. More than 850,000 British employees are managed by Iris HR Solutions. More than 12,000 schools and British academies use iris, with four million parents and guardians using the Iris application to connect with their children’s schools; 300 million messages are delivered between schools and parents every year, and more than £ 15 million transactional payments are processed every month. IRIS is certified as a good place to work® and is recognized as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs for gender equality in 2023. Iris is also recognized as one of the best workplaces for prosperity, one of the best workplaces in the field of technology and one of the best workplaces for women. Follow the iris on Facebook, TwitterInstagram and LinkedIn. More information about award winner software solutions can be found here.

Media Contact:
Iris software group
Jennifer Peters | Associate Director, PR and Communications
[email protected]