Is Hybrid Working Here to Stay?

An Explanation of Hybrid Working

Hybrid working is a flexible work model where employees can work in the business premises as well as do some work remotely.

It gives workers some autonomy in where they choose to work. Some employees feel more productive in an office setting; others may feel that their best work is done at home.

Most hybrid working came about during the Covid lockdown. A survey of business managers by the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI) found that almost 80% of the companies questioned in the survey had incorporated hybrid working into their business.

Types of Hybrid Working

 There are different models of hybrid working; these are the most common work models for businesses looking at implementing hybrid work in their practice.

1. Flexible hybrid work model

This model allows employees to choose where and when they will work. If they need to work closely with their team, or want to feel connected, they can work in their business premises. If they feel that their focus is better when they are alone, they can work from home, or another location.

Pros:

• Gives employees flexibility.
• Helps to develop a trust-based relationship between employees and employers, which leads to higher job satisfaction and loyalty to the company.
• Can lead to more out-of-the-box, creative thinking.
• Reduces cost to the company for energy, travel and office space.

Cons:

• Can lead to a fractured team.
• Needs planning ahead.

2. Fixed hybrid work model

This model is where the days where an individual can work from home or the office, are set by the company.

Pros:

• Good for team building and collaboration.
• Allows staff to plan personal appointments effectively
• Makes it easy to see who is in the office, and when.

Cons:

• No choice by the individual.
• Can lead to less productivity if the worker is not in the best setting to carry out a specific task.

3. Office-first hybrid work model

This working model expects employees to be at their main place of work most of the time, with some flexibility if they want to work remotely for a day or two.

Pros:

• Maintains work culture
• Gives some flexibility.

Cons:

• Can be hard to say who will be in the office on a particular day.
• Is not suitable if an employee has a pressing reason for working from home, such as health reasons.

4. Remote hybrid work model

This is where the employees work mainly from home or another location. They will only get together if they need to for training or team building.

Pros:

• Increases job satisfaction for staff who prefer to work from home.
• Enables people with health conditions to stay in the workplace.
• Reduces costs to the company such as renting office space.

Cons:

• Can be a challenge to develop a company culture.
• Staff can end up feeling isolated.

In conclusion, JournoLink recognises that there have been some positive aspects to how we adapted to life during and after the lockdown. There is a reason why hybrid working has been a trending topic for some time. Many employees now value the ability to work from home, or the office, as they choose.

It offers flexibility, accessibility for employees with health conditions or caring responsibilities, and an overall better quality of life.

As the cost of living increases, many employees are asking for hybrid working to help them reduce their costs. Working from the office often involves the cost of commuting, as well as childcare and food expenses. With energy and food costs rising rapidly and sustainable ways of work being desirable, hybrid working is a way for employees and employers to reduce their costs without losing productivity and job satisfaction. We found that businesses that recognise that hybrid working can be an asset for their company are likely to attract talented staff who believe that the future is in a digital workplace.

Hybrid working is definitely here to stay.