Matt AthertonHybrid-working - The new “normal?” A look at the pros and cons.
As we all know, the year 2020 was a difficult one for everybody. Businesses were not
immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc on people's lives all around the world. The way businesses are run and the way workers work has changed dramatically in just over a year.
For this reason, when it comes to returning to work, firms are exploring a cautious "hybrid work" strategy. By using the correct technology and resources, a hybrid work culture is an
attempt to overhaul the traditional work culture in order to achieve both employee
satisfaction and an optimal work environment.
In this blog we will look at precisely what hybrid work is, as well as its benefits and
drawbacks.
What does it mean to work in a “hybrid environment?”
A hybrid work model combines the structure and sociability of working in an office with the
independence and flexibility of working from home, as the name suggests. A hybrid work
environment has less of an established structure than traditional working models.
Businesses can tailor it more to their specific needs and employee expectations and
requirements. In theory, hybrid work aims to provide employees more flexibility to fit work
around other elements of their lives rather than forcing them to plan out their week based on
typical office hours.
What's the difference between hybrid and remote work?
With remote working, employees can operate “remotely” outside of the traditional office
atmosphere, which is exactly what happened in 2020. Employees who work remotely can
usually complete their tasks by connecting to the office network from a location other than
the office, generally their homes.
The hybrid work approach, on the other hand, specifies certain days for in-office work and
others for remote work that necessitates individual focus. It is founded on the premise that
an employee's physical presence in the office isn't always required to complete work.
Before converting to a hybrid workplace, there are a few things to think about however;
Due to rising employee expectations and some compelling benefits that this model delivers,
many firms have been forced to explore adopting a hybrid work paradigm. For example, in
the United Kingdom, employers predict regular home workers to reach 37 percent post-
pandemic, up from 18 percent in the pre-pandemic phase.
Although hybrid work might improve flexibility and employee pleasure or satisfaction, it can
also be somewhat expensive. Businesses must supply staff with all necessary equipment
and resources (in some cases including furniture) while maintaining office space and
equipment to guarantee a smooth transition. Hybrid work brings greater difficulties to core
company operations like IT management, in addition to increasing operational costs.
Is hybrid work the “new normal” in the workplace?
Certain organisations may allow their entire workforce to work remotely in the aftermath of a
pandemic, while others may compel all employees to return to the office. However, a
considerable number of people will choose something in the middle.
However, it's important to remember that hybrid employment isn't always the greatest option for every company. When it comes to creating a hybrid work environment, some firms will err on the side of caution due to the complexities and costs involved.
Which businesses “should” allow its staff to work from home?
Businesses in finance, management, professional services, and technology, as opposed to
real estate, healthcare, utilities, retail trade, manufacturing, construction, and hospitality,
could benefit more from a hybrid work paradigm. It’s fairly self explanatory that primarily
customer facing roles like hospitality would not work as hybrid or home-based working,
whilst others that do not rely on face to face interactions would generally be more of an
option for remote workers.
The advantages of a hybrid work model
Now that we’ve identified what a hybrid work model is, let's have a look at some of the
primary advantages it could provide to your company. Remember that developing a
Improvements to productivity