Posted by Punk POS ● Sep 16, 2021 1:15:00 PM

Hybrid Work: What the Office Could Look Like Now

The new COVID-19 norms dictated how you worked, such as being an entirely remote employee all of a sudden. You've already spent months getting used to them. After the pandemic, you'll most likely have to adjust to a whole new set of work standards. Following the pandemic, several businesses are exploring hybrid work arrangements. 

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So, what exactly is a hybrid work policy, and what does it imply for you as an employee if your business adopts one? In this post, you'll learn all there is to know about hybrid work.

What is hybrid work?

As the name suggests, the hybrid workplace mixes office and homework. Employees may work remotely part of the time while being on-site the remainder of the time. For example, employees may work four days a week from home and two days a week in the office.

Everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 disease and subsequent lockdown. According to a recent Microsoft study, more than 70% of workers want remote work alternatives to remain in some form, and 65% want more face-to-face contact with their colleagues.

Types of hybrid work model

While some businesses are now entirely remote, various hybrid work arrangements may be more suitable for many. The requirements of each company will determine the kind of remote work that is selected.

Three of the most frequent hybrid work models are as follows:

Occasional work

Employees alternate between working from home (or wherever they are) and working in actual offices. This, in theory, enables workers to benefit from the best of both worlds.

Office-first, remote working allowed

The office is established as the central working location, with workers having the flexibility to work from home occasionally.

Remote-first

The company's operations are mainly focused on remote work, although it does have some office space. A satellite office, for example, maybe kept for workers who require or want to work there, as well as client meetings.

What are the advantages of doing hybrid work?

Allowing workers to work part of the time from home and part of the time in the office has many possible advantages:

Cost-cutting

One of the most significant advantages of hybrid working is that it may reduce the company’s real estate expenses.

Rents are high, particularly in large cities where office space is in great demand. You'll need a lot of room to accommodate your whole staff when they're at the workplace seven days a week.

A more positive corporate culture

Businesses that give their employees more freedom and autonomy typically discover that their entire company culture improves dramatically. This is due to workers' perceptions that their boss trusts them to do their jobs without hanging over their shoulders all day. This has the potential to enhance the whole working environment, not just for remote employees.

Lower staff turnover 

Employee retention may also benefit from hybrid working. Depending on their circumstances and requirements, employees who choose to work from home or in the office are more likely to stay with the company for a more extended period. This is because they have greater flexibility to choose their work-life balance, changing the whole employee experience and removing one more incentive for employees to start looking for other jobs.

Enhanced employee morale 

Team members who choose to select where they work are more likely to have a positive attitude and feel more loyal to their current company. As a result, a hybrid working style may aid in the development of long-term employee loyalty. Employees believe their boss trusts them and is concerned about their work-life balance.

Employers that are hesitant to provide such co-working alternatives, on the other hand, are more likely to lose talented, experienced, and diligent workers to companies that do enable them to spend at least some workdays outside of the office.

Recruiting from a larger pool of talent

Employers may recruit from a larger pool of people, ranging from HR experts to web engineers, with hybrid employment. As previously said, many workers prefer remote work and will seek it in job descriptions when applying. Recruiting pools are also no longer constrained by the requirement to physically travel.

Drawbacks of hybrid work

Many firms have already adopted remote and hybrid working, with technology companies leading the way. However, company owners must understand and handle the possible drawbacks of hybrid workplace models to make the arrangement work.

The disadvantages of hybrid work are as follows:

There is less social interaction

Remote workers are also less likely to have a social life with their coworkers. This is a significant issue for workers, and it should not be ignored. This kind of social contact is critical in fostering team spirit and morale.

It isn’t easy to collaborate

It requires a particular effort to keep team members in close contact while working from various places. Coworkers in the same workplace, for example, may grab a conference room and brainstorm. This isn't easy to do when individuals are dispersed between their homes and offices.

It takes effort to communicate

When hybrid working arrangements are in place, communication may sometimes be challenging. Many software tools and video conferencing applications can assist you, but it will take dedication to keep everyone informed.

Workers at the office may be given preferential treatment

There's also the possibility that hybrid employees won't get the same treatment as their office-based counterparts. They may start to believe that they're losing out on chances for development and that they don't receive enough face time with their bosses to make an impact. A fair playing field must be maintained in hybrid workplaces.

Workers who work from home may feel left out

It's also essential to remember that remote team members may feel like they're being kept in the dark about what's going on at work. This includes in-person meetings, and daily office chats, and other little benefits, such as team excursions and birthday celebrations.

How to make hybrid work for you?

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Here are some measures to take to make hybrid working a success for your company.

Asynchronous communication should be used

Companies that use asynchronous communication may benefit from hybrid working. Asynchronous communication implies that individuals are not expected to react to communications immediately. Instead of being constantly inundated, colleagues can reply on their own time, allowing them more flexibility to focus on their job.

Ascertain that everyone has the appropriate equipment

Employers must ensure that all team members have the tools to perform their jobs and have excellent internet connections. Apps and tools for communication, as well as other applications and resources, are included. Additionally, they must be adequately trained in the usage of these instruments.

Make time to interact with others

Maintaining team spirit and camaraderie may be difficult with hybrid working. As a result, business executives should encourage remote workers to spend time getting to know one another and talking to one another outside of work hours (whether on a video call or via team messaging). This requires careful nurturing from attentive people managers.

be prepared

It's feasible to make a hybrid model work for your workers while also helping your company operate more economically and effectively with little thought and preparation. The tips in this article will assist you in creating a community of workers that are connected and motivated despite working in different locations.

Topics: technology, new normal, remote work, office work