The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work. With so many people now working remotely, companies are starting to realize that the traditional 9-5 office schedule is no longer necessary. As a result, hybrid work models are becoming more popular. But what exactly is hybrid work? And why is it important? Let's take a closer look.
Hybrid work is a mix of remote and in-office work. Under a hybrid model, employees have the flexibility to choose when and where they work.
Hybrid work is a term that refers to a mix of in-office and remote work. Unlike traditional office jobs, which require employees to be in the office for set hours each day, hybrid work gives employees flexibility in where and when they get their work done.
Under a hybrid model, employees have the flexibility to choose when and where they work. Some days they may come into the office, while on other days they may work from home .This type of arrangement can take many different forms, but the common thread is that it allows employees to have a greater degree of control over their work-life balance.
This flexibility can lead to increased productivity and engagement, as well as decreased costs for employers.
There are several hybrid work models that companies can pick from. The most common model is the two-day split, where employees come into the office for two days each week and work from home for the other three. Other models include the three-day split (where employees come in three days each week) and the four-day split (where employees come in four days each week).
There are a few different models of hybrid work, each of which offers different benefits and drawbacks. The three most common types of hybrid work are:
1. Office-based with remote days:
In this model, employees are expected to be in the office for set hours each day or week (e.g., four days in the office and one day working from home). This type of arrangement gives employees some flexibility while still ensuring that they're available for face-to-face meetings and impromptu collaboration.
2. Remote-based with office days:
The flip side of the previous hybrid work model, this arrangement requires employees to be available for set hours each day or week to come into the office (e.g., working from home four days per week and coming into the office one day per week). This type of arrangement is ideal for employees who need regular access to company resources or who prefer to interact with colleagues in person on a regular basis.
3. Flexible/variable schedule:
In this model, there are no set days or hours when employees are required to be in the office or working from home. Instead, employees have complete control over their schedules and can decide on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis where they want to work. This type of arrangement is perfect for employees who need maximum flexibility, such as parents or caregivers.
The type of hybrid work model you choose will depend on the needs of your business and your employees. If you're not sure which model is right for you, here are a few factors to consider:
If you think regular face-to-face interaction is important for your team's success and company culture, you might want to consider an arrangement that requires employees to return to the office at least once per week.
If your team members needs regular access to company resources like meeting rooms or printers, an arrangement that includes at least some time in the office will be necessary.
If you think your team would prefer more flexibility when it comes to their schedules, then a flexible or variable schedule might be the way to go.
If you're thinking of implementing a hybrid work policy within your own company, there are a few things you need to do first.
First, you need to develop a clear policy that outlines when and where employees can work. Second, you need to provide training for managers on how to manage a remote team effectively. Finally, you need to make sure that your company has the right technology in place to support a remote workforce.
1. Use desk sharing to reduce clutter and increase collaboration. Desk sharing is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular in the workplace. Desk sharing allows employees in a hybrid work environment to have access to a shared pool of desks, rather than having their own assigned desk. It decreases the amount of real estate that a company needs because employees are not each given their own individual desk. It encourages collaboration because employees are more likely to interact with each other when they are sitting in close proximity to one another. And third, it can reduce costs because companies don't have to provide each employee with their own individual desk.
2. Use a hybrid work scheduler to help employees stay organized. This type of tool can allow employees working from home to see where their colleagues are working from and easily schedule time to meet with them in the office space. It can also help HR and office managers to better plan the needs of the hybrid physical office in terms of space, workstations, and other resources. By using a hybrid work scheduler, companies can ensure that their remote employees and on-site workers have the information they need to effectively plan their hybrid work weeks.
3. Use a flex desk to encourage employees to take breaks. Flex desk is similar to desk sharing in that it also encourages collaboration and reduces costs. However, flex desk takes things one step further by also allowing employees to work remotely. With flex desk, employees are not tied to any one specific location. They can come into the office and work at a shared desk when they need to collaborate with others or when they need access to office resources such as printers or meeting rooms. But they can also work from home or from a coffee shop when they need to focus on individual tasks or when they want to take advantage of a more relaxed work environment.
4. Use a room booking system to book meeting rooms in advance. This ensures that there is always space available for team meetings or impromptu brainstorms. It also allows companies to see which spaces are being used most often and make adjustments accordingly.
5. Use guest management to welcome visitors and control access to your office. Guest management is important for creating a positive experience for both employees and visitors alike. A guest management system allows visitors to sign in and receive a visitor badge without having to wait in line at reception. It also provides employees with visibility into who is coming into the office and when they are expected to arrive. This helps to ensure that there are no surprises and that everyone knows who should be in the office at any given time.
Incorporating these four concepts into the workplace can help to improve the employee experience. By promoting collaboration, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency, these concepts can help create a positive hybrid work environment that attracts and retains top talent.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to hybrid work environment; what works for one company might not work for another. The most important thing is that you take the time to assess the needs of your business and your team before deciding on a particular model. By doing so, you'll be sure to create an arrangement that works best for everyone involved.Because by offering a hybrid work option, you can increase productivity and engagement among your employees while also decreasing costs for your company.
Check out and download our Checklist for Hybrid Work