What is the Hybrid Working Model and How is it Revolutionizing the Modern Workplace?
Flexible working is all the range off the back of the pandemic. As workers of all generations, but especially the younger, digitally savvy demographic of millennials and Generation Z, became more attuned to working from home or remotely, it caused a shift in attitudes towards traditional office models. As people started to return to the office, many companies noticed this desire for more workplace flexibility, resulting in the trend of hybrid working. By nature, this model allows employees to work both in-person and remotely, allowing them more freedom to choose where they want to work from.
In this article, we will delve into the true meaning of hybrid working, how it works, the benefits and challenges of this model, and how it may be impacting the future of work.
What is Hybrid Working and How Does it Work?
Defining the Hybrid Working Model
The standard approach of the hybrid working model is to grant employees the choice to work both remotely and in-person during the work week by means of a flexible working arrangement. They have the option to work from home, a coffee shop, or even a coworking space when attending to tasks remotely. However, they can also come into a physical office space if this is more productive for them, especially for cases involving in-person collaboration such as meetings or presentations.
This allows businesses to effectively get the best of both worlds, where employees are granted workplace flexibility whilst ensuring they stay connected to their colleagues by providing a physical space they can collaborate and communicate within.
How Hybrid Working Models Operate in Practice
There are many ways that the hybrid work model can operate depending on the company, the industry it belongs to, the nature of the job, and the individual preferences of hybrid employees.
Some companies may allow complete flexibility, where workers have the autonomy to choose how often they work in and out of the office without any requirements or restrictions. Other companies may allocate certain days of the week or time periods in which employees are allowed to work remotely or need to come into the office, ensuring that there are times when all team members are physically in the same place to touch base with one another.
For hybrid working to operate in practice successfully, employers must be clear about any guidelines or constraints when it comes to this model to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and have the same expectations. This might include implementing a hybrid work schedule or establishing certain communication systems both on and offline. Of course, every company has different needs and rules when it comes to hybrid working, which means businesses will need to explore and decide what works best for their specific teams in order to meet their goals.
Benefits of Hybrid Working for Employers and Employees
When adopting a hybrid working model, there are numerous advantages and benefits for all members of a business. A few of these include:
Increased Flexibility and Better Work-Life Balance
The most obvious benefit of hybrid work models is granting employees increased flexibility, which in turn results in enhanced work-life balance and improved mental health. This allows employees to focus both on work and personal commitments, such as spending more time with their loved ones as they work from home or granting them the opportunity to work from spaces that increase their productivity and where they feel comfortable.
Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention
By giving employees this type of autonomy, they are likely to feel more trusted by the company to make their own decisions and, therefore, more valued and appreciated. This results in improved employee satisfaction, where they feel more obliged to continue working for a company that fully respects and understands their needs.
Reduced Costs and Environmental Impact
There are a few ways that a hybrid model can reduce costs. Firstly, remote workers can save time and money on work commutes, which also reduces the environmental impact that would have come into effect by taking cars, buses, or trains to work. Employers can also save money on overhead office space costs – because not everybody will be in the office at the same time, they can potentially utilize smaller working spaces or coworking spaces, which cost less than a traditional office.
The Hybrid Working Model in Action: Case Studies and Examples
Many companies worldwide have been adopting hybrid working models, with more and more members of the workforce specifically searching for organizations that offer this kind of flexibility. Some well-known examples of companies that promote a hybrid work environment include:
Google adopted a hybrid work policy that allows all levels of flexibility. Its employees can work completely remotely if they so choose, although most workers do come in at least three days a week in order to facilitate effective collaboration, brainstorming, and discussion.
Apple
Apple has adopted a similar approach to the above, where they encourage corporate employees to work in the office at least three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and a third day decided by specific teams. Depending on job roles, some employees may even have the option to work remotely for up to four weeks a year.
Microsoft
Microsoft recognizes the importance of both remote and hybrid work to enable employees to work more productively according to their specific roles. They encourage employees to be open with their managers and supervisors about which solution suits them best, as well as the working hours they prefer to make processes more efficient.
Slack
Slack is a big believer in the hybrid work model, allowing its employees to work fully from home and also at hours that enable them to be most productive. Its offices remain open for those employees who work better in an office environment, but there are no set rules for when they need to come in. They have also been focused on hiring more remote employees.
Challenges and Considerations for Hybrid Working
Although hybrid working is a great solution for some organizations and can offer many benefits, it is essential to understand the challenges and considerations that come along with adopting this sort of process. Some of the key factors that businesses should be aware of are:
Managing Communication and Collaboration
When more employees work remotely, it becomes crucial to maintain an appropriate level of communication and collaboration across the entire team, even when they aren’t physically in the same room. Companies should implement clear protocols for effective communication, such as weekly team meetings or catch-ups. They should also adopt all the necessary tools and resources for online collaboration so team members can easily be reached regardless of where they are.
Ensuring Fairness and Inclusivity
Giving all employees the same treatment regardless of whether they choose to work in person or remotely most of the time is very important when managing hybrid teams. Expectations and performance should be the same for all hybrid workers, and they should be given the same opportunities across the board – for example, workers who physically go into the office more often should not be prioritized or treated differently in comparison to colleagues who prefer to work online.
Addressing Cybersecurity and Data Protection
By nature, hybrid working means shifting many practices and resources online, which could result in cybersecurity threats or data protection challenges. When employees work remotely, they will be using different networks and devices, which may make it easier for sensitive data to be accessed by outside parties. Because of this, any hybrid workforce should invest in proper cybersecurity measures and train all employees in best practices for data protection.
Embracing the Hybrid Workplace for the Future of Work
All in all, a hybrid workplace can offer many positive aspects for businesses of all types and sizes. It can create a better company culture, where individual employees feel happier with their work-life balance and have greater job satisfaction. Plus, it can help on the financial side of business planning, where money is saved on bigger office spaces that may not be necessary for productivity.
Although this approach is still relatively new, the benefits of hybrid working for businesses worldwide are evident. This aspect of flexibility is becoming increasingly attractive for new members of the workforce, making it crucial for businesses to consider and implement hybrid work policies in order to remain competitive and retain talent, implying that hybrid workplaces are here to stay and will continue impacting the way we work for years to come.
Eaton Club is the Best Option for Companies Using a Hybrid Working Model
At Eaton Club, we understand the importance and meaning of working in places that inspire creativity and productivity, whether this is in the office with colleagues or remotely from a comfortable desk that offers minimal distractions. It may be challenging to find one single solution that ticks all these boxes. However, with our safe and secure environment, dedicated on-site support team, and all-inclusive workspaces tailored towards multiple workstyles, hybrid working can be a breeze for your entire team.
As a premium flexible workspace provider with various locations in Hong Kong, members can enjoy working physically and remotely within our private serviced offices or coworking desks. Book a tour with us today and discover a new way of hybrid working.
