When Covid-19 struck, it imposed remote work on companies, including those that had no flexible work policies. Remote work became the new norm, and
while the new model brought overwhelming success, some companies aren’t ready to completely abandon the office. As a result, the hybrid remote work model is catching on in the world of work.
In this article, we’ll explore the concept of hybrid remote work: what it is, how to make it work for you, and the pros and cons of this model of work. We’ll delve into the nuances and pitfalls of the growing trend to help you get off on the right foot in your remote work journey.
First things first:
What Does Hybrid Remote Work Mean?
The word hybrid means a thing made by fusing two different elements. In this case, our elements are office work and remote work. That means, hybrid remote work, also known as part-remote work, is a mix of working remotely and in an office. In other words, hybrid remote work offers the best of both worlds.
Harriet Molyneaux — managing director at HSM Advisor — depicts the world of work on a spectrum. At one end, is a model where everyone works in an office, nine to five, with time and location restrictions. At the other end, is a full remote work model where employees work from anywhere around the world anytime. She opines that a hybrid work model is anything that sits in the middle of that spectrum.
Put precisely, in a hybrid work model employees work from home a few days a week and spend part of the week in an office. There’s no consensus on the number of days an employee should work from home versus in the office. However, 68% of executives claim an employee should spend at least three days of a work week in an office to maintain the company culture.
That rule isn’t written in stone, though. The optimal balance of work days at home vs in an office depends on your workforce, nature of work, industry and other overriding factors.
As a business owner, a hybrid remote work model allows you to build a distinct company culture in an office setting. It also removes the friction and eases the transition from traditional office work to remote work.
Take a Leaf Out of Apple’s Book
Apple is one of the companies adopting the hybrid remote work model. Starting September 2021, the company implemented a hybrid system where employees would be required to get into the office on Thursdays, Tuesdays, and Mondays.
They would then have the option to work remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays. The company initially provided two weeks of remote work every year but has now increased that to four weeks. This offers the employees a chance to experience both remote and in-office work.
What Are the Differences Between Hybrid and Full Remote Work?
The main difference between hybrid and full remote work is that, in a hybrid model, employees have the option to work from an office as well as from home or any other location. In a remote working model, on the other hand, employees are not tied to an office and can work from any location they choose.
Another key difference is that, in a full remote mode, all employees are typically located in different places. This can make it more difficult to build a cohesive team culture. In a hybrid model, some employees will be in the office, which can help with team bonding and collaboration.
Team meetings are also different for hybrid and remote models. In a hybrid work model, team meetings can happen in person or over video conferencing, depending on the preference of the team. In a remote model, all team meetings are typically held over video conferencing.
What Are the Benefits of a Hybrid Workplace?
There are several benefits of a hybrid remote work for both employers and employees. Some of the benefits include:
Benefits For Employees
More Flexibility for Employees
As mentioned earlier, a hybrid model offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of working remotely with the option to come into an office if needed. Employees have the flexibility to work from anywhere, whether that’s at home, a coffee shop, or the office, and can design their work schedule to suit their needs.
Employees have more control over their work schedule and can design a schedule that works for them. They can also take advantage of working from home when they need to, for example, if they have a sick child.
Better In-Person Connection
Even though a fully remote model boosts productivity, it has a caveat: it can be a breeding ground for loneliness. When an employee is working remotely they can’t feel the presence of their coworkers around them: which precipitates loneliness.
Recent studies show that 24% of remote workers struggle with loneliness. Thankfully, a hybrid remote work model can be the perfect remedy for this ordeal. Allowing employees to work in the office some days of the week boosts in-person connection, which in turn helps dispel the feeling of loneliness.
Helps Hone the Skills of Junior Workers
Setting up your team to work entirely from home deprives the least experienced employees the opportunity for in-person guidance. With a hybrid model, you can create a schedule that lets junior staff meet their seniors in the office.
This way, the least experienced employees will have the opportunity to pick the brains of those who have been in the craft for a long. The accelerates employee growth and development and at the same time remedies the siloed knowledge problem that many companies face.
Improved Work-Life Balance
A hybrid workplace can lead to a better work-life balance, as employees have more control over their time. They are not always tied to an office so they can choose when and where they work remotely. In other words, have more autonomy over their work-life balance.
In a LinkedIn study, 86% of respondents believe that hybrid employment will improve their work-life balance. When probed why they chose a hybrid model, 48% said it would make it possible for them to spend equal time on both their professional and personal goals.
Increased Productivity and Creativity
A better work-life balance help employees avoid burnout and improve their mental health. It also leads to increased creativity and productivity. This is because a remote work model lets employees create a workspace and schedule that suits their needs.
According to a report by Owl Labs, productivity while working remotely from home is better than working in the office. On average, remote employees spend 10 minutes less a day on unproductive tasks and work an extra day a week, which is why they’re 47% more productive.”
Benefits For Employers
Cost Savings
Companies can save money on office space and other costs associated with running an office. These include costs for furniture, electricity, and cleaning. The average annual cost of office space per employee is projected to be roughly $18,000. Having an aspect of remote work in an organization lowers this cost.
Access to Global Talent
A hybrid workplace can help companies attract and retain top talent, as it offers employees a better work-life balance. More people will want to work for a company that offers the flexibility to work from home sometimes.
What Are the Challenges of Implementing Hybrid Remote Work?
There are a few challenges that need to be considered when implementing hybrid remote work. Some of the hybrid remote work challenges for employers include:
Loss of office camaraderie and social interaction
One of the challenges for employers is the potential loss of office camaraderie and social interaction. When employees are working remotely, they may not have the same opportunity to interact with their colleagues on a daily basis.
This can lead to a feeling of isolation and loneliness. According to a study by PWC, 87 percent of employees stated that the office is vital for interacting with coworkers and for creating relationships, according to their top priorities.
Technology problems and increased IT support needs
Another challenge for employers is the potential for technical problems and increased IT support needs. When employees are working remotely, they may not have access to the same level of technology and support that they would have in the office. This can lead to frustration and a loss of productivity.
Changes in company culture
Another challenge for employers is the potential for changes in company culture. When part of the workforce is working remotely, they may not be able to participate in the same activities and events that they would in the office. This can lead to a feeling of disconnection from the company.
How Should I Start With the Transition to Hybrid Remote Working?
The transition to hybrid remote working can be daunting, but there are a few best practices you can implement to make the process easier.
First, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what hybrid remote working is and how it will work for your team. Talk to top management about what a hybrid remote work schedule would look like for you and your team.
If you have ideas about how you would like to structure the work model, be sure to share those with your manager as well. From there, the two of you can work together to come up with a plan that works best. Make sure everyone is on the same page about the goals and expectations of the new arrangement.
Once you have a plan in place, the next step is to start experimenting with different scheduling options. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s important to find a schedule that works best for you and your team.
Try out a few different options and see what works best for everyone involved. You can start by working from home one day a week or ‘core working hours’ and see how it goes. If it’s not working for you or your team, don’t be afraid to adjust the plan.
The most important thing is to keep communication open and flexible. With a little bit of planning and effort, the transition to hybrid remote working can be smooth and successful.
Reddit is an example of a company that successfully transitioned into a hybrid model. They were able to face the challenges of the transition to establish a successful hybrid working model in 2020.
Their goals for this model were to attract outstanding talent by avoiding the need for people to relocate increasing the diversity of their team and increasing staff engagement and productivity. They also wanted to stimulate collaboration and connection, and better manage the current workplace space.
How Can You Make Hybrid Work Successful?
Hybrid remote work isn’t always easy. It can be hard to find the right balance between time in the office and time at home. And it can be difficult to stay connected with colleagues when you’re not in the same place.
Here are some tips to help you make hybrid remote work successful:
Set Up Your Team to be Successful
Successful hybrid remote work starts with a well-organized team. Make sure everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are. And make sure everyone has the remote work tools they need to do their job, whether that’s a laptop, a second monitor, or a comfortable chair.
Create a Policy For Collaboration
When you’re working remotely, it’s important to have a policy for collaboration. Decide how and when you’ll communicate with each other. Will you use Slack, email, or video conferencing? And make sure everyone knows when they can expect a response.
Set Your Goals and Objectives
Before you start working, take a few minutes to set your goals and objectives and have your team do the same. What do you want to accomplish today? This week? This month? Having a clear understanding of your goals will help you stay on track.
Schedule Regular Check-Ins
When you’re working remotely, it’s easy to feel isolated. Schedule regular check-ins with your team to stay connected. You can use these check-ins to touch base on projects, give and receive feedback, and share what’s going on in your personal life.
You should also establish communication habits that work for everyone on your team. What’s more, increase the number of times you engage remote personnel. You can do this by scheduling more video meetings, sending more emails, and having more informal conversations.
Create Opportunities For Social Interaction
Just because you’re not in the same place doesn’t mean you can’t socialize with your colleagues. Plan virtual happy hours, coffee breaks, and other social events. And make sure to include remote employees in-office events, like holiday parties and company outings.
Make The Most Out of Hybrid Remote Work
If you are looking for a way to reduce your overhead costs, increase employee productivity, and have a more flexible workforce, then hybrid remote work may be the answer for you. This guide has outlined all of the important things you need to know about setting up and managing a successful hybrid remote work program.
In a hybrid remote work model, employees have the best of both worlds: they can take advantage of the flexibility of working remotely, while still being able to come into the office when they need to. This can be a great option for companies that are looking to transition to a remote workforce but aren’t quite ready to make the jump yet.
