According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index report, “Employees want the best of both worlds: over 70% of workers want flexible remote work options to continue, while over 65% are craving more in-person time with their peers. Indeed, the business underworld is witnessing what CEO Satya Nadella calls a “hybrid paradox,” wherein the vast majority of employees say they want more flexible remote work options, but at the same time also say they want more in-person collaboration post-pandemic.

One thing’s for sure— with teams becoming more siloed and employees working in social isolation, digital exhaustion is becoming a real issue, and employee burnout is surging exponentially. Before the pandemic, coffee breaks, team lunches, and even quick chats in the hallway or the work bay provided frequent opportunities to connect with colleagues, talk about work and non-work-related topics, brainstorm ideas, and build relationships.

In Jared Spataro’s (CVP, Microsoft 365) own words, “Those impromptu encounters at the office help keep leaders honest. With remote work, there are fewer chances to ask employees, “Hey, how are you?” and then pick up on important cues as they respond. But the data is clear: our people are struggling. And we need to find ways to help them.”

Modern intranets provide many social capabilities that boost collaboration, give employees a chance to use their voice, drive meaningful conversations, and connect people to news, knowledge, and each other.

Let’s explore.