Hybrid work model is being increasingly favored by companies and employees due to its advantages and characteristics. Over the years, technological and communication advances have made it easier for companies to carry out this type of remote work.
In this article, we will explain what this model is all about, what it means, where it came from and everything you need to know to be able to perform a hybrid job and make a smooth transition.
Summary
- Hybrid work is all about flexibility, so that employees can organize and do their work between the office and home.
- It has great advantages such as increased productivity and efficiency, but it also involves large investments and requires training.
- For this working model to be successful, it is extremely important to focus on the culture of the company, as success depends on it.
What you should know about hybrid work
Nowadays, companies adopt different work models, and we hear concepts such as telecommuting, remote work, home office or hybrid work. It is important to differentiate these concepts as they are not the same even if they have characteristics in common.
With technological progress and the modernization of companies, a great change is taking place that is also affecting the way of working. Traditional work, where the workday is spent in the office, is being replaced by a hybrid model.
What is hybrid work?
Hybrid work is a working model that allows employees to work in the office and at home remotely, combining digital tools with traditional formats.
The company that uses this model must have offices where employees can work on a regular basis, while the rest of the days they work remotely. This model has certain characteristics that must be taken into account in order to manage it in the best way and not lose its essence.
Characteristics of hybrid work
Companies are developing profiles for their new jobs that include remote work or hybrid work as an option (1).
Flexibility: The company must adapt to the variety of styles and methods of communication.
Technology incorporation: Systems specialists are required to keep computer systems updated, and there must be trained people to deal with any inconvenience that arises from the same work model.
Management system: Various digital tools must be used to carry out communication or task administration, for this it must be provided by the company
Advantages of hybrid work
Increases the company’s efficiency and productivity
Being able to organize your work time at home in isolation and reduce travel time, makes concentration even greater.
Optimization of workspaces
For companies, this is a great advantage since workspaces are optimized, thus causing a decrease in costs.
Innovation
Various technological resources are required to keep informed and carry out the different tasks within the hybrid work model.
New talents
With a hybrid work model, the company can hire talent from all over the world with specific skills. This will guarantee the company’s high productivity and an important competitive advantage.
Reduced exposure to disease
The reduction of days in the office means that any sick employee does not infect others.
Disadvantages of hybrid work
Requires training
It is necessary to train all employees who involved in hybrid schedule, to be able to make proper use of digital tools and that their working day remotely is as efficient as possible.
Involves high investments
It is necessary to invest in work materials so that each employee has them.
May not generate efficiency
If there is no control and too much flexibility and freedom are given, this model may be affected.
Types of hybrid work model
While the hybrid work model is a combination of being on-site at the workplace and taking part of your workday home, it can be organized in different ways. Here are the different types of hybrid work models:
- Flexible hybrid work model: employees choose their location and working hours based on their priorities for the day.
- Fixed hybrid work model: Employees must comply with the organization’s day and time schedules.
- Office-first hybrid work model: Employees spend most of their time in the office, but have the flexibility to choose a few days a week to work remotely.
- Remote-first hybrid work model: Employees work remotely most of the time with occasional visits to coworking spaces or the office.
Hybrid means remote?
No, hybrid work is not the same as remote work. People who do hybrid work have the possibility to go to the office while people who work remotely do not.
The benefits of teleworking can only be realized if the worker can choose whether to work remotely or not, and if it is ensured that the space provided for remote work and the other circumstances in which it is performed are adequate (2).
| Face-to-face work | Remote work | Hybrid work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costs | It involves costs of maintenance, services and office rent. | Helps to save on office costs. | Lower costs for coworking spaces. |
| Team | Team consolidation. | If not working with the right tools, communication can be affected. | Provides flexibility. |
Check out Remote Work Statistics
Difference between hybrid and flexible work
Hybrid work and flexible work are not the same. In the case of hybrid work, an agreed work schedule is followed in which on-site and home-based work are combined. Certain rules and norms of traditional work must be followed.
In the case of flexible work, more emphasis is placed on the schedule to be met. This means that employees can adapt their work schedule to their rhythm and lifestyle. This makes it possible to create different working hours, without affecting the company’s tasks and objectives.
Factors that drive hybrid work
Covid-19
With the emergence of COVID-19, the pace of life we led changed completely. As a result of quarantine and restrictions, the traditional work model had to change, giving way to a new working method that was flextime and hybrid work.
A survey conducted by Accenture among its employees revealed that 58% of them who had a hybrid work model during Covid-19 had better mental health, stronger working relationships and less burnout compared to those who worked remotely (4).
Costs
Both companies and their employees benefit from the hybrid work model. This is because working remotely and in person on other days means great savings for them. On the companies’ side, this is reflected in the cost of real estate and, on the employees’ side, in food and travel expenses.
Benefit
After the pandemic, employees’ priorities have changed, and they are increasingly looking for hybrid model jobs, as they see it as a benefit. According to a new study by IWG, job applicants see the hybrid model as an essential requirement for new jobs (6).
The value of hybrid work
Hybrid work is becoming increasingly valuable in the marketplace and in people’s lives. A McKinsey study revealed that more than half of employees want at least three days of remote work (3).
On the other hand, a Microsoft employee survey indicated that employees want the best of both flexibility and face-to-face: more than 70% of workers want flexible remote work options to continue, while more than 65% want to spend more time in person with their teams (7).
How to adopt a hybrid work model
Adopting a hybrid work model requires an appropriate process that is adapted at the organizational level and that can be embraced by all employees. This process consists of certain activities necessary to migrate to the desired work model and make it a great experience.
A well-thought-out hybrid work model can generate very good results for the company, as well as an increase in productivity and job satisfaction. For this, it is necessary to have the following resources.
Survey your employees to find out what they need
Talking to employees is necessary to find out what they need at work, listening to them and allowing them to actively participate will help them to better prepare for and accept the change of working model. This will keep them motivated.
Employee surveys in addition to meetings can be a very helpful resource to find out what they expect, what concerns they have about hybrid work, and what work arrangements would work best for them.
Build the infrastructure to support flexibility
Hybrid work consists of both remote and face-to-face work, so both sides must be prepared to support this flexibility. On the one hand, employees must have all the necessary work tools to do their work. On the other hand, the company must adapt and have the necessary workspaces when it is time to go to the office.
Establishing communication channels, office hours and investing in technology in the workplace will make the hybrid model a better experience for each of the company’s employees.
Invest in company culture
The company culture represents the values of the company and determines the relationship between the members. That is why it is important to work on it. It is essential to invest in the culture to build a safe work environment and to make employees feel engaged and productive at home or at the office.
The values of the organization play a crucial role. Work must be done based on the philosophy and beliefs of the organization, maintaining an identity and leadership on the part of the directors to promote teamwork.
Create a great workplace experience
With the hybrid work model, employees only go to the office some days. However, it is important that they still feel comfortable, safe, and welcome. Therefore you should work on creating a good environment and experience for them.
To do this, you should involve them, ask for regular feedback, invest in events and build working relationships with employees so that they feel part of organizational culture.
Conclusion
Hybrid work, as we have seen, is already a model that is considered important at a business and organizational level. Employees prefer it to any other work model and although it has advantages and disadvantages, companies should adopt it and satisfy their workforce.
For a hybrid work model to be successful, employees must be trained and listened to, and all management tools must be incorporated so that the company’s productivity and results are even greater.
References
1. Peña Hernández R, Labrada Arreola LY. Analysis of human talent management: Teleworking [Internet]. UTEL INTERACTIVITY; 2022 [cited 2022Sep].
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2. Canals C, Baquer OC. Telework and productivity: a complex binomial [Internet]. CaikaBank; 2020 [cited 2022Sep28].
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3. De Smet A, Dowling B, Mysore M, Reich A. Time for leaders to get real about hybrids [Internet]. McKinsey&Company; 2021 [cited 2022Sep28]
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4. Monahan K. The Future Of Work: Productive Anywhere [Internet]. Accenture; 2021 [cited 2022Sep28].
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5. LEGAL REGIME OF TELEWORK CONTRACTS [Internet]. Legislation and Official Notices. BoletÃn Oficial de la Republica Argentina; 2020 [cited 2022Sep28].
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6. Hybrid. A better way to work. [Internet]. Iwg; 2022 [cited 2022].
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7. The next great disruption is hybrid work: are we ready? [Internet]. Microsoft; 2021 [cited 2022Sep28].
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