COMMUNICATIVE MANAGEMENT IN A HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT: CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY

Abstract

This study examines the effects of hybrid work arrangements on internal communication effectiveness and employees' well-being in organizations. Following a quantitative strategy, data were collected through an online survey of 156 IT and education sector employees in Ukraine, who all work in hybrid settings on a daily basis. The study explores the effect of various communication channels, managerial feedback, and digital fatigue on employee satisfaction with internal communication processes. The findings indicate that effective use of asynchronous communication tools, such as messaging apps and email, is positively correlated with communication satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.01), and that regular, quality feedback from management additionally enables greater satisfaction levels (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). In contrast, high rates of videoconferencing are associated with increased digital fatigue (r = 0.61, p < 0.01), as reported by 60% of respondents. There were also large differences between managers and non-managerial employees (F = 5.82, p = 0.003) and across professional sectors, highlighting the requirement for context-specific communication interventions. Common barriers such as technical issues (45%) and lack of feedback (41%) were also reported. Actionable recommendations emanating from these findings are simplifying the use of asynchronous tools, feedback loop refinement, reducing digital fatigue through policies like no- meeting days, and investing in communication infrastructure. The study offers actionable guidance for managers seeking to build communication effectiveness and employee engagement in hybrid working contexts, pointing to the need for balanced and adaptive communication strategies that address both organizational goals and employee well-being.