Hybrid work model: 5 advantages

Depending on your employees’ profile, a fully remote policy may match their expectations. But as each organization is unique and has specific needs, taking your employees’ expectations into account is crucial. A multigenerational workforce is likely to be happier with a flexible work arrangement than a fully remote model, for example. Because with so many demographic groups in the workplace , it is difficult to satisfy everyone with a single option.

This helps support a hybrid workforce by promoting collaboration, giving employees access to everything they need wherever they are and a superior user experience. We’ve discussed how a hybrid work model leads to increased productivity and higher employee satisfaction levels, but did you know that both of these benefits lead to a third benefit? Hybrid work models that are managed effectively allow organizations to define a future of work that is more flexible, digital and rewarding for their employees. This results in a huge number of business benefits from better access to top talent, happier employees and improved innovation. When businesses are looking to save money, they should consider implementing hybrid working arrangements. With less need for an office, businesses can reduce their costs and save money.

Statistics about hybrid employees’ quality of work and productivity

What began as a mass experiment in alternative working arrangements is now turning into something more permanent. Microsoft now offers its employees the option to work remotely for at least half of their workweek. Salesforce declared that the “9-to-5 workday is dead.” Facebook will allow half of its workers to work from home permanently.

According to a Linkedin study, 86% of professionals believe that hybrid work is essential for a better work life balance. Around 48% of respondents attributed this to spending equal time on personal and professional goals. A hybrid workplace takes an employer’s talent search from local to international. A whopping 91% of employers and 81% of employees believe upskilling is pivotal to their productivity and overall performance.

Best practices for hybrid work

This has led to a more diverse and inclusive hybrid work from home, with employees from different parts of the world. Deploying a hybrid work model allows staff to gain the best of both worlds. Employees can experience the benefits of collaborative, in-person relationships while also having the chance to work remotely on tasks that require a deep individual focus. Not only will this benefit the employees, but it can have serious positive knock-on effects for employers too.

In fact, more than one-third of executives on the CNBC Technology Executive Council say that cyberthreats have increased as a majority of their employees work from home, according to a CNBC flash survey. One respondent said their organization has seen phishing and other cyber scams rise 40 percent. However, there’s no doubt that employees working from home do run into some challenges around feeling siloed, lonely or out of sync with their colleagues. You can also implement practices to facilitate virtual water cooler chats like creating messaging channels or meeting rooms people can go to on their lunch breaks.

The benefits of a hybrid work model

When team members know when they’re expected to be working, they’re less likely to suffer from burnout and overwork. Make your calendar public and block off time for focus and personal appointments. Plus, sharing your calendar prevents people from scheduling meetings when you’re unavailable. You must define a clear list of goals and prioritize work according to specific objectives.

If your business has employees who have the flexibility to split their time between work-from-home and the office, then you are managing a hybrid workforce. Most knowledge workers agree that the divide between home and office isn’t an either/or—it’s a both/and. Employees prefer the flexibility of a hybrid work environment because it helps them fit work around their personal lives. Since employees don’t have to commute every day, they have more time and flexibility for personal and family commitments. And on the flip side, your team can still reap the benefits of in-person collaboration when they’re in the office. That’s the ultimate recipe for employee satisfaction—workers can lead rich personal lives and still feel connected and engaged at work.