Are you feeling weird after putting on your business suit in this back-to-office phase? Don’t feel shy to admit it. Most of us are sailing in the same boat.
While the sole work-from-home option has made us love our jammies more than ever, this new hybrid work model gives us more challenges. The hybrid work model is preferred by 83% of employees worldwide. This possibility has caused a stir in the otherwise calm ocean.
What is Hybrid work culture? Will it work? Will it disrupt my already settled work structure?
There are so many bewildering questions over this. So let us deep dive, into all the related aspects.
A mandatory definition
So what does Hybrid work from home mean?
A mixed schedule where employees can work by switching between the home and office premises on the specified days is what we refer to as hybrid work.
Amidst the pandemic, the businesses are hustling to get restored to the previous working pace. When the pandemic halted everything in 2020, the companies had to go through a series of inclusions and exclusions. This cycle continued until all employees could do remote work seamlessly.
Remote work was the survival strategy. And now, hybrid work is the new remote work. Is that something people are welcoming with open arms? They may be a little hesitant initially, but transition into hybrid work from home model has advantages of its own.
Benefits of Hybrid Working
Hybrid Work Model is where companies go wild and show their best talent to come up with hybrid work arrangements for their employees. Unfortunately, though we appreciate the enthusiasm, we will have to restrict ourselves to few common types of models:
- Remote-first: The idea is to prefer the Remote-work model only, but offices are kept ready with the required equipment and services. This basic readiness helps if somebody feels the need to come to the premises.
- Office-occasional: This model gives employees full liberty to split their time between home and physical offices. Based on personal preferences, employees can choose the time to manage their commitments and keep themselves safe.
- Office-first, remote allowed: Work-from-office takes the first preference, with occasional remote work options.
Honestly speaking, people are deliberately choosing Hybrid working options. There are apparent reasons here:
- Breaking the stagnation: Getting confined into the home for months and working has brought stagnation in the remote-first culture. People are missing out on coffee breaks and water cooler conversations with colleagues, getting ideas from the real environment, etc. Hybrid work will help in overcoming this stagnation.
- Increase in productivity: Knowing that we can work from our place of choice brings in satisfaction and removes unnecessary mandates, increasing productivity.
- Reduction in the operational cost: Companies provide extra perks to employees during remote work options, such as covering internet expenses, providing work-from-home setup, etc. In addition, companies have to pay office rent.
Following the Hybrid work model, the companies can shift to lower-rented facilities as they do not have to accommodate many employees simultaneously. Hence proved, lower cost.
- Business revivals: Some businesses could not afford to have their employees working remotely. For industries such as hospitality, manufacturing, etc., a hybrid work idea is a boon.
Talking about Hybrid Work Model Examples, we have some business giants taking up this initiative: Google, Amazon, Atlassian, American Express, Coinbase, Facebook, Microsoft, Infosys, etc.
What to consider when moving to a Hybrid Work Model?
The idea looks simple, but there are some hidden challenges in adopting this as a “new normal.”
This discussion is specifically put here for the HRs and managers of the companies. Employees will accept the company’s rule for a Hybrid work model, but the organization needs to plan better and sustain this work culture.
Here is a quick checklist:
Equal attention to remote and on-premise workers
When most people are joining the office, the employees working from home may feel like missing out on the on-goings of the workplace. These aspects include everything: office conversations that may give brilliant ideas, perks of the job, parties, brainstorming, etc.
And believe it or not, this can demoralize the work-from-home employee. Do you have a plan ready for this?
Take care of our social instincts
Impromptu after-work parties are always cherished. But in this situation of hybrid working, remote working employees may feel like they are losing out on this special social life.
Solution: Plan such things when everyone is available.
Challenges while collaborating can be difficult
Although employees have learned and managed to collaborate remotely, this hybrid working style can disrupt this understanding.
We are not harsh here. But the truth is, brainstorming in a meeting room can bring out many on-the-spot ideas or decisions. Sometimes, the theory is so critical that the team wants to implement it as soon as possible.
And if such a scenario, the work-from home location employee is not available, there will be a dent in the team’s collaborative effort.
Favorable inclination towards office workers
This element may be a shush-shush issue, but management may feel inclined towards office-attending employees during project distribution, career advancements, etc. It may not be entirely true, but one cannot deny it outrightly.
So will the hybrid working model perform? Of course, it will, with a little bit of time. And then, as always, we will nail this concept too.
