What is the hybrid working model?

 

The hybrid workplace model combines remote workers with on-site workers, with some or all employees having the flexibility to choose where and when they work. In-office time may be allocated by days or by teams, or on an as-needed basis. According to Gartner, “where and when work gets done will be determined by what makes the most sense to drive the highest levels of productivity and engagement.” (SAP,n.d)

What are the types of hybrid work models?

1. Flexible hybrid work model

Employees choose their location and working hours based on their priorities for the day. For example, if they need to spend time focusing on a project, they can choose to work from home or in a coffee shop. If they want a sense of community, need to meet with their team, attend a training session or join a town hall, they can choose to go into the office. Cisco is leveraging this model and offering its employees the option to choose where they work on any given day.

2. Fixed hybrid work model

The organization sets the days and times employees are allowed to work remotely or go into the office. For example, it could be that certain teams go into the office on Mondays and Wednesdays, while others go in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Or an organization could allow everyone to work from home on pre-determined days each week. American Express is an example of an organization that has adopted a fixed hybrid work model.

3. Office-first hybrid work model

Employees are expected to be on-site but have the flexibility to choose a few days a week to work remotely. Google plans to adopt this type of model where employees work in the office three days a week but have the option to choose two days for working remotely.

4. Remote-first hybrid work model

Employees work remotely most of the time with occasional visits to coworking spaces or the office for team building, collaboration, and training. In this model, the company may not have an office space and instead relies on team members in the same area to get together when they see fit. Twitter adopted this remote-first model and will allow all employees to work from home.

(Webex,2023) 

 

What are the benefits of hybrid work?

 

1.       Increased employee productivity:

A number of factors contribute to boosts in productivity: increased autonomy to choose work hours and location; fewer interruptions at home than in the office; repurpose commuting time; and the opportunity to come into the office at times when in-person collaboration is best.

2.       Reduced overhead costs:

Companies are looking at their real estate strategies and opportunities to reduce office space or move their offices to smaller cities – all of which can lower overhead. Hybrid employees tend to be more engaged, which leads to less turnover and also reduces costs. 

3.       Better employee experience and work-life balance:

Greater flexibility and autonomy increase job satisfaction and happiness, which improves performance at work as well as overall employee well-being. An integrated focus on work-life balance helps create a successful hybrid workplace.

4.       Improved safety and social distancing:

With COVID-19 variants predicted to be an ongoing threat, the hybrid workplace model allows for office space to be designed to emphasize safety and sanitization. Mixing and matching who is in the office – and when – allows space for social distancing and increased cleaning, which also makes it easier if there is a need to perform contact tracing.

(SAP,n.d) 

 

While many expect employee engagement to drop if employees aren’t going into the workplace every day, research shows that hybrid and remote work can improve employee engagement. In a recent survey, 79% of knowledge workers indicated that their engagement level has stayed the same or improved since they began working remotely. (Webex,2023)

HR leaders need a complex array of smart tools to support recruitment, onboarding, and engagement – as well as the systems and tools needed for remote team productivity, efficiency, and resilience. Hybrid workplaces that embrace cloud-based services, stronger security infrastructures, and enhanced collaboration tools will be better equipped to meet both employees’ expectations – and the bottom line. (SAP,n.d)

References -

Webex (2023) What is hybrid work and what are hybrid work models? Available at : https://www.webex.com/what-is-hybrid-work.html#:~:text=Definition%3A%20Hybrid%20work%20is%20a,however%20they%20are%20most%20productive. [Accessed on May 30,2023]

SAP(n.d) Hybrid Workplace: The Future of Work | SAP Available at : https://www.sap.com/products/hcm/what-is-a-hybrid-workplace-model.html [Accessed on n.d]

HiBob, modern HR made for modern business (2022) What is the hybrid working model? Available at : https://youtu.be/OCnboNWVHV4?si=LGPxu_vkW7I09UAi [Accessed on 2022]