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Finding the right hybrid work model can feel like putting together a puzzle. You want flexibility without losing collaboration opportunities, and hybrid work without harming team cohesion and your company culture.
The good news? Plenty of organizations have figured it out and you can use their models as inspiration.
We’ll walk through what successful hybrid work models from different industries look like, highlighting what works (and why). Plus, we’ll cover practical steps to help you build a hybrid strategy that boosts your people’s productivity, keeps them happy, and makes office time truly valuable.
Understanding the hybrid workplace – and defining the hybrid work model
But first, the basics. What’s exactly a hybrid workplace?
Hybrid workplaces blend remote and in-office work, giving employees flexibility – and, in some cases, the freedom to decide what type of schedule works best for them – while maintaining some level of in-office team collaboration.
Instead of requiring everyone to be in the office full-time, hybrid models allow employees to split their time between home and the office based on company policies, job roles, or personal preferences.
There’s no single way to do hybrid work. Some businesses set mandatory office days, while others let employees choose when to come in. Some roles stay fully remote, while others require more in-person interaction.
Here’s how hybrid US organizations’ office attendance expectations looked like in the last quarter of 2024, among those surveyed by CBRE:
However, the key to a successful hybrid workplace isn’t simply letting your people work from different locations; it’s creating a structure that supports both in-person and remote work. This means setting clear hybrid work policies, using the right tools (like desk booking apps, for example), and ensuring that communication and collaboration remain seamless, no matter where employees are working.
Done right, hybrid work offers the best of both worlds: the focus and flexibility of remote work combined with the connection and teamwork that come from in-person collaboration.
The rise of the hybrid workplace in the modern workforce
Companies are no longer limited by geographical constraints when it comes to hiring. The hybrid work model opens doors for people who may not have had access to many job opportunities in the past, for example, because they live in remote areas, have specific mobility challenges, or need to provide care to aging or sick family members.
Hybrid and remote companies are able to hire from a larger talent pool and have access to more diverse perspectives – and typically thrive on a culture of trust and autonomy. When employees are given the freedom to choose how and where they work, they feel empowered. This sense of ownership leads to increased motivation and productivity, as individuals take pride in their work and strive for excellence.
Modern technology plays a huge role in making hybrid work successful. From chat apps like Slack to project management tools like ClickUp and Asana, it’s the tech that keeps teams connected and aligned, no matter where they’re working.
Collaboration software ensures that brainstorming sessions are as productive online as they are in person, and cloud-based tools – be it Google Workspace, Dropbox, or a more privacy-focused solution like Proton for Business – mean documents and resources are always accessible.
Officely goes a step further: it goes beyond helping teams "do" hybrid and it turns flexible work into a competitive advantage. By centralizing desk booking (directly in Slack or MS Teams), updating work locations in real time, and making resource management easy, the app helps teams be more productive and efficient. When your team can focus less on logistics and more on what they do best, everyone wins.
Top benefits of hybrid work schedules
Hybrid work comes with real benefits for employees and businesses. Let’s break down the biggest advantages and how they can work for you.
Increased employee flexibility
A hybrid model gives employees more control over the way they want to work and the location they want to work from, making it easier to balance professional and personal commitments. Parents can manage school drop-offs without stress, commuters can avoid peak-hour travel, and everyone can structure their day around when they work best.
This flexibility leads to happier, more engaged employees, who also tend to stay with companies for longer. The key to implementing this the right way? Set clear guidelines while giving employees the autonomy to choose what works best for them.
Cost savings for businesses
If your office is half-empty most days, it might be time to rethink how much space you actually need. Many companies are moving to shared or flexible office setups, reducing overhead while still giving teams a place to collaborate in person.
A hybrid workplace means fewer people in the office at the same time, which translates to lower costs for rent, electricity, and all other office amenities. Companies that downsize office space save on rent, utilities, and office supplies. IBM, for example, cut $50 million in annual real estate costs by shifting to hybrid work.
Enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction
Hybrid work doesn’t just save money, it also improves the employee experience. A study from Stanford found that hybrid employees who can work remotely 2 days a week were just as productive as employees who are in the office full time – and more likely to stay at their jobs.
The best hybrid strategies focus on making both remote and in-office work easy. That means having the right productivity tools in place to simplify hot desking, keep teams connected, and make office days truly valuable.
Successful hybrid work model examples
Let's now see how companies in tech, healthcare, and education are successfully implementing hybrid work strategies.
Examples of hybrid work in the tech industry
The tech industry is, expectedly, often the first to trial novel approaches to work, and hybrid models are no exception (although, arguably, they’re no longer novel).
Here are some examples:
- Google: For many job functions, Google has adopted a hybrid work model, requiring employees to be in the office three days a week, with the remaining two days available for remote work.
- Microsoft: Microsoft has been using a hybrid work model for a while now, typically requiring employees to be in the office 2-3 days per week – but some roles are fully remote and some require full-time office presence.
- HubSpot: HubSpot offers a flexible hybrid work model, giving employees significant autonomy in deciding their ideal work environment.
- Toggl: Toggl is not actually a hybrid company – it operates as a fully remote business. By embracing a remote-first culture since 2014, Toggl is a pioneer of remote work (which is why we wanted to include them in this list).
Hybrid models in the healthcare sector
The healthcare sector underwent a major transformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many healthcare providers have adopted telemedicine, allowing clinicians to conduct virtual consultations for non-emergency cases.
Here are some companies in healthcare that offer hybrid or remote work:
- Healthfirst: Healthfirst has adopted a hybrid work model for many positions, requiring employees to be in the office three days per week, with the remaining days available for remote work.
- Fabulous. Fabulous operates as a fully remote company, allowing employees to work from anywhere. This approach offers flexibility and supports a healthy work-life balance. The company provides benefits such as flexible work schedules and generous paid time off.
Examples of flexible hybrid work in education
Education is another sector that has been evolving in the past years. Here’s how a few of the leading companies in edtech approach hybrid work:
- Udemy: Udemy has embraced hybrid work for most roles, allowing employees to work from different locations and requiring an in-office presence two days a week.
- Coursera: Coursera gives plenty of choice and flexibility to its workers, enabling them to choose between working remotely, in the office, or a combination of both. This flexibility allows team members to select the work environment that best suits their needs.
- Khan Academy: Khan Academy has a significant portion of its workforce operating remotely. The organization supports remote work and provides guidance on maintaining productivity and work-life balance in a remote setting.
Implementing a hybrid work model in your organization
Now that you're sold on the benefits of the hybrid work model and inspired by the examples of companies rocking it, you're probably wondering how to bring this magic to your own organization. That’s exactly what we’ll explain in this section.
Assess your company's needs
Every organization is unique, so it's essential to understand what will work best for your specific circumstances. Consider your company culture, the nature of your work, the different job roles and their requirements, and, of course, the preferences of your employees.
Gather feedback to tailor a hybrid work model that supports your people’s needs and enables them to work in a way that is stimulating and motivating.
Set clear policies and expectations
Clarity is key when implementing a hybrid work model. Establish clear policies regarding scheduling, communication, and performance expectations. Make sure all employees are on the same page and have a deep understanding of their responsibilities, regardless of where they choose to work.
Need inspiration to create your own policy? Grab our hybrid work policy template and tailor it to your needs.
Create a hybrid work culture based on effective communication
When you're building a hybrid environment, communication is more important than ever. Implement tools and technologies that simplify collaboration, whether it's video conferencing software, project management platforms, or good old-fashioned team meetings.
Encourage open communication channels to keep everyone connected and engaged.
Empower your hybrid workforce with the right tools
In a hybrid environment, it’s essential to provide employees with what they need to do their best work, no matter the location. The right tools bridge the gap between in-office and remote work, helping teams stay productive and well-organized.
Start with office management software like Officely to handle the booking of desks, meeting rooms, parking spaces, and even spots for pets, if your office is pet-friendly.
Officely makes it easy to see who’s in the office and when, so teams can coordinate in-person collaboration without the hassle – and it works directly within Slack or MS Teams, meaning that your people won’t have to open yet another app to book desks or parking spaces.
Beyond scheduling, consider tools that support seamless workflows. Cloud-based document storage keeps files accessible, while automation tools help streamline repetitive tasks. Investing in the right tech makes hybrid work feel effortless, so that your team can focus on doing great work instead of dealing with the logistics.
What type of hybrid work model will your organization adopt?
There isn’t a single best approach to hybrid work – the model that would make the most sense for your team depends on your company culture, the nature of your business, and how your employees work best. Some businesses set structured office days, while others offer complete flexibility and freedom. What matters most is creating a system that works for you and for your people.
And with the right tools in place, this doesn’t have to be complicated. Officely helps teams navigate hybrid schedules effortlessly, making it easy to coordinate office days, book resources, and keep everything organized, directly within Slack and Microsoft Teams. If you're ready to simplify hybrid work for your company, check out our complete guide to office management for flexible workplaces.
Whether you’re just getting started or refining your existing strategy, the key is to listen to your team and use the best tools to make hybrid work actually work.
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