After the pandemic, companies needed to come up with a strategy that helped them observe Covid-19 protocols while at the same time remaining productive. By and large, the hybrid work schedule was the most effective strategy companies implemented.
However, despite the model’s success, there are still some downsides that companies need to address. In this guide, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of this work model, as well as give tips on how to overcome the challenges associated with it.
First, let’s clearly detail what a hybrid work schedule is.
What is a Hybrid Work Schedule?
A hybrid work environment is one in which some employees work remotely while others work on-site. In other scenarios, it may imply that employees work from home some days but report to the office on other days to attend face-to-face meetings.
Hybrid work models existed even before the onset of the pandemic but most companies only adapted to the hybrid movement after the Covid-19 pandemic. Other companies are still rigid about allowing employees to work from home because the technology and finances required to support the model are high.
How Is a Hybrid Work Schedule Different From a Traditional One?
As noted above, a hybrid model allows some employees to work away from the office while others work on-premises. The hybrid model is such that functions that don’t need office support, such as marketing, happen remotely.
The traditional work model is the brick-and-mortar one where employees report to the office from 9-5, and each worker has a desk. Most employers operating a conventional work model fear transitioning to a hybrid work model because they think working from the office translates to better productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hybrid Work Really Work?
Yes, hybrid work does work as long as there are strategies put in place to assist the workers in achieving their set targets away from the office. Currently, there are more work-from-home jobs in Los Angeles than before because companies have experimented and proven the efficacy of the model.
Why do Younger Workers Want Hybrid Work the Most?
Young workers want hybrid work because they are more tech-savvy, and they also want control over their work. The Gen Z population is also more financially conscious and wants to save on transport, wardrobe, and lunch costs.
How Do You Lead a Hybrid Workforce?
With companies shifting towards a more hybrid workforce, the management needs to adapt to the new change. A hybrid model works perfectly if leaders can exercise inclusion, empathy, and trust for all employees.
Is Hybrid Work Good?
Yes, hybrid work is good despite the challenges. The employees can manage their time better with fewer commute times. Companies are also able to save on rental costs and office supplies.
Pros of a Hybrid Workplace
Here are the positives that come with companies adopting a flexible work model.
Makes Employees Happy
A flexible work environment enables workers to work from home or their favorite coffee shop. The flexibility makes them happy because it reduces the commute hours otherwise wasted on the roads.
According to a survey, a quarter of all employees in the US job market quit their work due to a bad commute. A hybrid work schedulel, therefore, implies better employee retention.
Employees also enjoy telecommuting because they don’t have to spend much money on their wardrobe and transport costs. As a well-known fact, happy employees perform better.
Lower Overhead Costs for the Company
Companies don’t need substantial office spaces when more employees work from home. In addition, the cost of snacks, water refills, and coffee are reduced significantly. Guess what this means for the business? More savings!
More Talent that can Work from Anywhere
Most brick and mortar organizations can only hire locally. There are so many other talented employees from different locations worldwide. Having a remote work option gives recruiters an advantage because they have a vast talent pool to choose from.
High Levels of Productivity
Most managers think that working from an office is the only way to measure productivity among workers. On the contrary, a study revealed that employees are more productive if given the freedom to choose where to work from and the hours to work.
Better Office Utilization
When more workers work remotely, the offices don’t have to implement the crowded cubicle office setup. Instead, companies can adopt the activity-based workspace design. The design allows the employer to design the office depending on the employees’ needs. For instance, you can have private call booths, quiet and creative spaces for the employees.
Cons of a Hybrid Work Model
Just like there are two sides to a coin, the hybrid model also has disadvantages.
Poor Work Relations and Culture
When employees work from home, they may find it hard to spike random conversations with their peers. At the office, employees from different departments tend to meet at the coffee machine and relate, fostering a sense of togetherness.
Companies can foster close relations among the employees by investing in proper communication channels. Simple tools like Zoom, Google Meet, Slack, Asana, or Trello can help companies create an ideal work environment.
Challenges with Management
The management team may face the challenge of supervising workers from different locations. Some companies have even adopted surveillance tools such as InterGuard that are often invasive to track employees. Of course, this is not the future we want with telework where the employers invasively track employees.
The Technology Aspect
Not all employees are tech-savvy, and if work from home jobs in Los Angeles is to hold ground, these employees need a lot of training. Besides, the IT department may face challenges receiving all kinds of troubleshooting requests. Companies will therefore have to double the size of the employees in the IT department to handle all the issues.
Fear of Missing Out
The employees working remotely are likely to feel left out on those impromptu meetings that their counterparts in the office have. When an employee doesn’t participate in a team-building activity, it may also affect their work. Workers fear missing out, and it may deter them from starting honest conversations with their colleagues.
Burnout
A recent study revealed that 94 percent of employees working remotely experience burnout. You see, when some employees are working on-site while others are working from home, those working remotely may tend to work more. The tendency to work for more hours is often out of the need to gain visibility to avoid losing their jobs.
To help such employees from overworking, companies need to adopt strategies where employees receive specific tasks to complete within a given time. An ideal work environment shouldn’t measure performance by how long the worker remains online.
In a Nutshell
A hybrid work environment is the future of work as more companies shift from the traditional one. Notably, the system has its advantages and disadvantages, which companies need to consider before embracing it.
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