Essentially, hybrid work is a flexible working model where employees work partly in the physical workplace and partly remotely. Similarly, hybrid models might also encompass a work structure in which some employees work remotely and others work on-premises. In a study by McKinsey & Company, before the pandemic, 62% of workers preferred being fully on-site, 30% preferred hybrid, and 8% preferred fully remote work. After the pandemic, only 37% of employees preferred working fully on-site, 52% preferred a hybrid model, and 11% preferred fully remote work. This massive shift in employee preferences may be unprecedented and has major implications for business.
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There are three types of hybrid business models:
- Workplace-based with limited remote working – In this scenario, employees are expected to connect with the office every day but with sufficient technology and connectivity, let people work evenings and weekends remotely, or if a life event prevents them from getting to the office.
- Workplace-based with generous remote working – In this case, employees can work from home for a set number of days per week, but the work still revolves around a physical office.
- Digital first with a workplace – Here, the business maintains a physical office, but it’s not its hub: the tech is.
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For Hybrid Working to be Successfully Implemented, some key factors to consider include:
- Have clear policies and procedures – Some things that employees need to be aware of include what type of hybrid model will be implemented, who is eligible, what roles and responsibilities will remain the same or change, as well as how to approach disciplinary issues, grievances, performance expectations and reviews, and absences.
- Legal implications – If employees’ new main base for work is their home, a new employment contract needs to state the employees’ home address as their workplace. This affects employees because they need to tell their landlord, mortgage provider, house insurer, and the IRS come tax season.
- Communication – Communication within a business and between teams is pivotal for successfully implementing a hybrid working environment. Tools that have proven effective for workplace communication include Slack, Microsoft Teams Chat, and Google Chat.
- Training & Development – For a successful hybrid model to work, employees should continue to train and develop. Important skills to refine in a hybrid environment include effective communication, performance management, team building, and time management.
- Proper Technology and Equipment: A hybrid model can only work if employees can do their job seamlessly from home. Therefore, employers need to audit the equipment available in the office and at the employee’s home in order to assess whether it can support hybrid working and fill in the gaps. Employers also need to provide a list of recommended tools and train employees how to use them. Last, employers need to ensure that there are property security measures put in place like a VPN so that data can remain secure while employees work from home.