In a world turned upside down by the pandemic, the concept of the hybrid workplace emerged as a beacon of hope.
But now we can finally look back and reflect on it with sufficient clarity: Did it bring all the benefits we expected to see? What were some of the challenges that organizations and workers needed to tackle? What was the real impact on productivity and employee happiness?
In this article, we’ll look into all the details – and explain what are some of the things you can do to make your workspace better equipped for hybrid work.
Work from home vs. hybrid work
The hybrid model is a flexible work arrangement that allows employees to divide their time between working remotely and coming to the office. It blurs the boundaries between physical and virtual workspaces, thanks to all the tech we now have available, and helps promote a better work-life balance for many.
In a hybrid work environment, employees might prefer to work in the office whenever they need to collaborate with their teams, bouncing ideas off each other and looking for ways to solve difficult problems together. Then, the rest of the time, they might prefer to stay at home and focus on individual tasks.
The hybrid workplace empowers them to tailor their work environment to suit their needs and preferences, ensuring that they can perform at their best.
Shifting work culture: The evolution of the hybrid workplace
The hybrid workplace isn't a new invention; it has been around for a while, but was usually only accessible to a few, more senior employees. With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, hybrid work became incredibly common, to the point where it became the new normal for many organizations.
In a traditional office setup, employees were expected to be physically present from 9 to 5 (or some variation of these standard hours), five days a week.
This rigid structure doesn’t fit everyone, though – caregivers, people with disabilities, or those who simply function best at different times, were either feeling pressured to adapt their lives to the obligations of their workplaces or simply didn’t have access to the same work opportunities.
Today, however, many companies realize that when they adopt a more flexible approach to work and don’t force rigid schedules on employees, they are able to:
- Access a wider and more diverse talent pool
- Attract and retain top talent without damaging performance
- Provide a better work-life balance to employees
- Optimize office space and reduce overhead costs
Cloud-based collaboration platforms have made it easier than ever to stay connected and productive, regardless of physical location. Employees can now easily transition between in-person and remote work and get the best of both worlds.
As hybrid workplaces continue to evolve, it is crucial to establish clear hybrid policies (grab our hybrid policy template if you still don’t have yours!) and guidelines for hybrid work. This enables you to build a strong hybrid culture, provide the right working conditions to your people, encourage accountability and ownership, and enable everyone to do their best work.
Increased productivity & more: Key benefits of hybrid work
Now that we've laid the groundwork, let's explore the more juicy stuff – the benefits of hybrid work.
Increased flexibility and job satisfaction
In a hybrid environment, employees can tailor their work schedules to fit their personal lives.
This flexibility isn’t just a nice perk – it’s a major driver of job satisfaction. A study by McKinsey & Company found that 87% of workers would embrace a hybrid arrangement if given the choice. By letting employees shape their workday, you can help build a sense of trust and autonomy, which leads to happier, more engaged teams.
Enhanced productivity levels
If you provide your workers with the option to work remotely on some days and in the office the rest of the time, this can help boost productivity.
At home, your people can focus on deep, uninterrupted tasks; office days, on the other hand, are ideal for collaboration and brainstorming. The key is to create an environment that supports both modes and where employees can have a say in what works best for them (we believe the best hybrid work schedules are set by employees, not managers).
Cost savings for businesses
By switching to a half-remote schedule, businesses can save up to $11,000 a year per employee.
Office space is very costly – but with fewer employees in the office at any given time, you can downsize and reduce expenses like electricity, supplies, and rent.
Better work-life balance
Hybrid work lets employees design their schedules to better fit their personal lives. Without long commutes, they can spend more time with family, do sports, or focus on their hobbies.
Flexible hours also make it easier to balance work with doctor’s appointments, school runs, or other personal commitments, without needing to ask for permission each time. This can help you reduce the risk of burnout in your workforce and improve overall well-being.
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