Hybrid Work in German Public Administration: Social Resources, Occupational Health Literacy and Work Design Competencies in Association with Work Engagement.

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid work models are on the rise in public administration in Germany. Hybrid work poses new challenges for employees. Face-to-face contact with colleagues at the office may be limited, potentially affecting social relationships at work. This study aimed to examine job demands and resources pertaining to social relationships between employees in public administration with low and high face-to-face contact with colleagues. Furthermore, associations between social and personal resources with work engagement and the moderating role of face-to-face contact were explored.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in a German public administration. Validated instruments were used to measure job demands and resources regarding social relationships, occupational health literacy, work design competencies, and work engagement. Differences between employees with low and high face-to-face contact with colleagues were examined using Pearson's chi-square test and Welch's -test. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze associations between social and personal resources and work engagement. Simple moderation analyses were carried out to explore the role of face-to-face contact.

Results: Overall, 127 employees in public administration completed the questionnaire. Employees with low face-to-face contact with colleagues at the office reported significantly higher fear of missing out at work and lower team cohesion and empowering leadership. Team cohesion as well as work design competencies and occupational health literacy (subscale willingness/responsibility) were significantly positively associated with work engagement, but no moderation effect of face-to-face contact could be observed.

Conclusion: To reduce job demands regarding social relationships and strengthen social resources of hybrid workers, organizational measures could be taken to foster regular face-to-face contact with colleagues (e.g., overlapping attendance days). Additionally, training programs on work design competencies and occupational health literacy could positively impact employees' work engagement.