With recent disruptions to the traditional workplace and advances in technology, the hybrid working model has become an increasingly popular way to work.
The hybrid working model is a combination of remote and in-office work. It allows employees to work from home part-time or full-time, as well as come into the office for meetings or other collaborations. This flexibility allows for a better work/life balance and can be especially helpful for parents or caregivers.
They’re so beneficial, in fact, that hybrid work models are used by 63% of high growth companies.
Before the epidemic, HR managers were discussing the advantages of remote employment. Businesses were compelled to permit remote work for their staff members and subcontractors during the global lockdown. According to some data on remote work, employees seemed to be more productive when they worked from home.
Many organisational experts projected that the office space would cease to exist in 2020. Their prophecies haven’t materialised as of yet. Instead, it appears that continuing remote work and going back to the office conflict.
Although some workers favoured one approach, others craved the conventional office work environment. Organisations started using the hybrid working model to strike a balance.
According to recent data, 55% of American workers indicated that they wanted to combine working remotely and in the office.
In this article, we’ll discuss the hybrid model, its benefits, and some ways you can begin practically implementing it in your business.
Let’s get started!
Hybrid working model benefits
When business owners started balancing remote work with typical office work, allowing their staff to work from home, in the office, or both, hybrid work came to the fore.
Although the hybrid working model is currently all the rage, many businesses and employees find it difficult to adjust and keep up productivity at work. The shift to remote work has proven to be quite difficult for some people.
Following are some difficulties with the hybrid work approach that could have an impact on productivity:
- social exclusion
- a gulf between the workforce
- unfair labour practices
- longer hours of work
The main worry of many firms that have embraced the hybrid work model today is how to maintain productivity when your team is dispersed across many places.
Some of the greatest techniques to control a hybrid working model and keep productivity high are as follows.
The hybrid working model also has many benefits for employers. It can help reduce overhead costs, as employees do not need to come into the office every day. Hybrid model also helps promote creativity and productivity, as employees are able to work in different environments and are not confined to a traditional office setting.
The hybrid working model can also help with employee retention, as employees have the flexibility to work from home part-time or full-time. By offering this flexibility, employers are able to attract and retain top talent.
Finally, the hybrid working model can help improve communication and collaboration within teams. Employees are able to work together in person and online, which helps break down silos and allows for better knowledge sharing.
Overall, the hybrid working model has many benefits for both employees and employers. It can help improve work-life balance, promote creativity and productivity, reduce overhead costs, and improve communication and collaboration. If you’re looking for a way to better accommodate the modern workplace, the hybrid working model is a great option!
How to start a hybrid working model at your business
To begin hybrid working at your business, you’ll need to first assess your needs and make a plan. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Assess your needs
First, you’ll need to assess your needs and decide which employees would benefit from remote work. You may also want to consider which positions are best suited for remote work; for example, roles that require a lot of collaboration or customer interaction may not be the best fit for a hybrid workstyle.
2. Make a plan to implement hybrid working model
Next, you’ll need to make a plan for how to implement hybrid working. This will include deciding which employees will work remotely, setting up communication and collaboration tools, and establishing guidelines for remote work.
3. Train employees
Finally, you’ll need to train your employees on how to work remotely. This will include instructions on how to use communication and collaboration tools, as well as best practices for working from home. Training is often best done in-person, so employees can ask questions and get feedback, but it can also be done online.
4. Promote candid communication
Managers can communicate with the staff much more easily in a real office setting. The hybrid work paradigm suggests that an organisation’s workers may work remotely from various places. The inference is that not all employees understand what management expects from them.
In a hybrid model, several employees work various shifts and locations, making it occasionally challenging to keep everyone on the same page. A recent survey found that almost 60% of employees who work outside the office felt they were missing out on crucial information.
Additionally, the workers occasionally lose sight of what the management expects, which has an impact on production. Therefore, managers need to be explicit about what they expect from workers. For instance, managers may demand that each employee submit a monthly report on their projects if they wish to monitor the progress of their team members.
Therefore, solving the communication issue is essential if you want to be successful in a hybrid workplace. The ideas listed below can help you improve communication in a mixed work environment.
- Make channels for communication
- Demand evaluations.
- Set up definite guidelines
- Make personal commitments
- Observe decency
Managers are responsible for ensuring that all staff members, whether they work in the office or from home, have access to communication channels.
Types of businesses that excel at the hybrid working model
Though the hybrid working model can be beneficial for any business, certain types of businesses may find it more advantageous.
1. Software companies
Software companies are often able to work remotely because their products can be developed and tested without needing face-to-face interaction. In fact, many software companies have a remote first policy, which requires all employees to work from home at least one day per week.
2. Businesses with a global customer base
Businesses that have a global customer base can often benefit from hybrid work. This is because it allows employees to work during the times of day that are best suited for their time zone. For example, an employee in the US could work from 9am to 5pm EST while an employee in the UK could work from 3pm to 11pm GMT.
3. Companies with a lot of freelancers or contractors
If your company relies on contractors, the hybrid working model can be a great way to manage them. This is because it allows you to bring them on board without having to worry about office space or other logistics. In contrast with traditional employees, freelancers and contractors make their invoices, send them in, and do their job without needing much hand holding.
In closing
Hybrid work arrangements are becoming more popular as technology allows for more flexible and remote work options.
Hybrid work can provide many benefits, including a better work/life balance, increased flexibility, and improved productivity. Working in-person and remotely can also help build teamwork and collaboration.
If you’re looking to implement a hybrid working model in your business, there are many ways to do so. You can start by allowing employees to work from home part-time or full-time, and by having regular digital meetings. Additionally, you can provide resources and support for remote workers.
The hybrid working model is a great way to improve productivity, flexibility, and teamwork in your business. Thanks for reading!
