What is the hybrid workplace model?

A hybrid workplace model takes traditional and remote working methods and combines them into one unique, flexible environment. Generally, a group of core individuals will complete in-office work, while the remainder of employees can choose between remote work, in-office work or a combination of the two. This model lets employees enjoy the following advantages of remote work:

• Increased safety
• More flexibility
• Better work-life balance

Of course, not every office role can be made fully remote. For example, certain tasks might require an in-office computer or in-person interaction between coworkers. Adopting a hybrid format, as opposed to going fully remote, lets businesses accommodate multiple needs at once.

Pros of the hybrid workplace model

Increased productivity

Every worker has their own strengths and weaknesses. By providing increased flexibility, the hybrid workplace model lets your employees play to their strengths. For example, if an individual is most productive in the afternoon, rather than trying to work early in the morning, they can sleep in and work later in the day. This benefits the employee and boosts the quality of their work.

Similarly, some people may be more easily distracted by noisy environments than others. By working remotely in the quiet and convenience of their home, they can avoid office noise and improve their concentration. On the flip side, workers who prefer busy surroundings or crave interaction can choose to work in the office.

Employees in a hybrid setup can also tailor their schedules based on commutes. While people who live near the office might have no problem coming in, those who live far away lose precious time and energy making burdensome commutes. Giving them the option to complete work from home eliminates the trip, conserving time and reducing stress.

Decreased costs

Over time, the hybrid workplace model can reduce costs for both your business and your employees. It cuts down on the following:

• Space
• Supplies
• Commutes

The hybrid workplace model helps lower real estate costs by reducing overall office occupancy. With fewer people coming on-site every day, you can transition to smaller properties that are less expensive to rent.

In addition to lowering rent, hybrid environments can save on general office costs and supplies. For example, instead of maintaining several unused desks, you can adopt a less expensive “hot desk model.” In this set-up, you’ll offer a few desks that employees can book beforehand. Not only does this save on furniture and space, but it also creates a limit on how many people can come into the office per day.

Hybrid workplaces also bring financial benefits to employees. For example, workers making long commutes can save on transportation costs by working remotely more often. Young professionals can also spend less on office attire.

More collaboration and creativity

Every office relies on the unique ideas of its employees. Hybrid workplace models can facilitate the flow of these ideas and encourage workers to share them with one another. Here’s what you can expect with a hybrid model:

• Increased collaboration
• Better work relationships
• Higher creativity levels

Workers can complete most of their individual duties at home and spend in-person time handling tasks that require collaboration. This optimizes time and encourages your employees to build relationships with one another.

A hybrid workplace model also boosts creativity. Thanks to the flexibility, employees have more time and opportunities to brainstorm and think of new ideas. Furthermore, people can choose to work in the environment that’s best for their personal creativity, whether that be at home or in the office.

Improved health

Remote work rose in popularity due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. While more and more businesses are reopening at full capacity, health problems still pose a risk and will continue to do so in the future.

With the hybrid workplace model, employees can easily complete tasks from home while they’re sick. Not only does this keep the employee comfortable, but it also protects your remaining staff from being infected. Hybrid workplaces can help mitigate the following contagious health problems:

• COVID-19
• Common colds
• Influenza
• Norovirus
• Meningitis

Hybrid environments also help employees with noncontagious conditions. For example, if a worker suffers from allergies, they can stay home when they have strong symptoms. This allows them to get the rest and treatment they need and prevents other workers from getting distracted.

Higher customer satisfaction rates

A flexible working routine affords employees a better work-life balance by allowing them to adjust their working schedules and accommodate unique needs. For instance, an employee can choose to work remotely when they have a doctor’s appointment or other commitment. This flexibility brings the following benefits:

• Higher employee satisfaction rates
• Increased engagement in the workplace
• Better employee retention

Giving employees more scheduling freedom boosts satisfaction rates and keeps staff happy and stress-free, leading to better engagement and participation within the workplace. If your employees are happy, they’re less likely to look for opportunities elsewhere.

Conversely, a rigid workplace makes it more difficult to strike a healthy work-life balance. As a result, employees may come to work with unresolved personal issues that affect their morale, engagement and participation. For example, they might have to sacrifice personal appointments or familial commitments to attend in-person work. If employees are less engaged, they’re more likely to search for a new workplace environment.

Cons of the hybrid workplace model

Remote employees might feel left out

One primary disadvantage of a hybrid work environment is that remote workers may feel left out. While in-office employees get to interact with their colleagues, remote workers spend most of the day by themselves or communicating virtually, which might cause feelings of loneliness and neglect. Remote employees may also miss out on team lunches or after-work social events.

In addition to feeling left out by their colleagues, it’s common for remote workers to be worried about their standing in the workplace. For example, they might fear that the physical interaction between the management and in-office colleagues will help the latter build rapport and get promotions.

Increased risk of burnout

Unfortunately, the freedom and flexibility of the hybrid workplace setup comes with the risk of burnout. The lack of clear expectations for both remote and in-office workers means employees have different notions of how they’re perceived. Generally speaking, remote workers might fear that managers and in-office workers look down on them for working from home.

When an employee is worried about their image, they might try to rectify the issue by putting in more hours or working harder than necessary. They may also overcompensate because they want to prove they can thrive without traditional supervision. This results in unhealthy burnout that increases stress levels and is bad for your business.

High initial costs

The initial cost of shifting from a fully traditional workplace model to a hybrid one can be steep. It’s ultimately a complex process that requires the following:

• Creating remote work policies for employees
• Implementing changes in the workplace premises
• Obtaining the technology to facilitate remote working

When creating a hybrid workplace, it’s important that businesses include employees in the process. This involves reviewing which workers need to come in, creating rules for remote workers and adjusting schedules to accommodate both in-office and remote employees.

A hybrid environment might also require changes to the workplace. For instance, if about 50% of employees choose to transition to fully remote work, it might be a good idea to get rid of some furniture or even shift to a new location.

Finally, there’s the cost of technology. Every remote employee needs sufficient hardware and resources to ensure they can comfortably work outside of the office. Businesses will also need to expand their IT departments to ensure they can safely handle the different personal devices that will be logging in to the company’s databases.

Is hybrid work the new norm?

After reviewing the benefits of a hybrid workplace, it’s not surprising that so many businesses have decided to transition to this model. While traditional workplaces are still thriving, hybrid models are definitely rising in popularity. However, this format isn’t necessarily the best choice for every business. You should consider transitioning to a hybrid environment if you meet the following conditions:

• You have employees who could benefit from remote work, such as workers with commutes
• You have office tasks that can be completed remotely
• You have the funds available to implement changes

When done correctly, a hybrid workplace model can increase productivity, help your staff and even reduce costs in the long run. Most importantly, it can create a positive workplace culture that drives your business to success.

Hybrid workplace model FAQs

How many days should an employee work at the office?

In a hybrid office set-up, an employee should ideally be at the office about three to four days per week. This amount lets workers complete in-office tasks and engage in social interaction while still offering one or two days of at-home work. However, some roles might require employees to remain in-office permanently, while others let employees transition to fully remote work.

Where should managers work from?

A common debate when it comes to hybrid workplace models is where managers or supervisors should work from. Some argue that management should remain in the office to coordinate the collaboration of on-site and remote workers, while others suggest they should work both remotely and traditionally.

Ultimately, the answer depends on the unique needs of each workplace. In general, it’s a good idea to have at least one manager on-site to work with employees who are coming in. Then, other managers can choose to work remotely if it’s more convenient for them.

What do you need to make a hybrid workplace model successful?

While many businesses have managed to successfully onboard remote workers and transition to a hybrid model, not every company has been so lucky. To thrive in this type of environment, proper communication is key. Remote workers need to adequately communicate with their in-office counterparts (and vice versa). This requires both high-quality technology and adjustment from staff members.