UnisoftUK | Hybrid Working: What is Hybrid Working and Why Do Employees Want It?

03.06.2024

Hybrid Working: What is Hybrid Working and Why Do Employees Want It?

Hybrid Working: What is Hybrid Working and Why Do Employees Want It?

Hybrid working is significantly different from the traditional working model. In this post, we will explore what a hybrid work model is and how you can transition to it seamlessly.

What is Hybrid Working and Why Are Employees Demanding It?

The traditional working model has been significantly altered by hybrid working. In this blog, we will take a closer look at what a hybrid working model entails and how to make the transition smoothly.

The Value of Hybrid Working

According to a recent study, nearly half (47%) of employees are likely to look for another job if their company does not adopt a flexible working style. As a result, employees have easily recognised the value of hybrid working. But what exactly convinces them to opt for a hybrid work model? Let’s explore some advantages of hybrid employment for individuals and employers.

Flexibility to Work When and How They Are Most Productive

Employees in a hybrid work style have more freedom to complete tasks when they are most productive. For example, some people work efficiently in the mornings, while others are more productive in the evenings.

Improved Work-Life Balance

According to a recent Slack survey, one of the main reasons employees are drawn to the hybrid working style is flexibility. Achieving balance is easier with a flexible work schedule. Employees who have more control over their work schedules have more time to handle personal matters, such as going shopping, picking up children from daycare, or being at home for deliveries.

Save on Property Expenses

In a hybrid working structure, there are fewer people on-site at any given time. This means some companies may not need to continue all their expensive immobilisation investments. By rethinking your workplace approach, you can reduce real estate costs by up to 30%.

Mitigate Potential Risks

Most employees report concerns about their health and safety when returning to work. The chance of an infected person spreading illness is lower in an environment with fewer employees.

While managing hybrid work in the new era, you need to synchronise security and contact tracing, as well as manage associated services such as visits, deliveries, parking, cleaning, and maintenance. This way, you can minimise potential risks.

Hire Talent Worldwide

Your business can employ individuals from all over the world in a hybrid working style. By accessing a larger talent pool, you can hire people with specific expertise. This can give your company a competitive advantage, help you expand into new markets, and provide continuous production around the clock.

How to Adopt a Hybrid Work Model

To adopt a hybrid working paradigm, you need the right people, procedures, and technology.

What to Consider When Transitioning to a Hybrid Working Paradigm

Research Your Staff’s Needs

Talk to your employees to identify the needs for designing a hybrid model that works for your organisation. You can create a work model that motivates your employees to produce their best work.

Send out a survey to evaluate employees’ feelings towards hybrid working. Gather their views on work structures. Advanced internal survey systems will always provide answers to many questions.

Here are some questions to consider:

  • Have you thought about the most productive way to work outside the office in the past year?
  • How many days a week would you like to work on-site?
  • If you had access to a workplace closer to your home, would you prefer to use it instead of commuting to the office?

Collect Feedback

Digital survey systems can make information gathering easy and organic. Notification kiosks placed at office entrances and exits can simplify your work. By collecting feedback, you can shape your roadmap according to the expectations of your target audience while developing products and services.

After analysing the survey results, you will understand your organisation’s hybrid working requirements. Additionally, you should determine which flexible working arrangements most attract employees and start shaping your work model accordingly.

Improve Employee Experience

Employee surveys are a great method to learn how your hybrid workforce feels in real-time. However, you won’t always have time to conduct a survey among your employees. For this, using specialised systems in this field will be a shortcut.

Build the Infrastructure to Facilitate Flexible Working

Hybrid working bridges remote and on-site locations in a way that makes it easier for employees to collaborate. You will need to invest in technologies that allow this to happen, such as on-site communication tools and video conferencing equipment.

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Determine whether new tools are needed or if existing tools can be used in new ways.

Create office calendars to control workplace traffic and provide flexibility to employees. There are a few approaches to this. For instance, you could designate specific days or weeks for employees to work on-site. Alternatively, you could allow managers to decide their teams’ schedules.

Invest in Corporate Culture

Be conscious while strengthening your corporate culture.

Invest in opportunities that will please your employees, such as gamifying part of your company’s recruitment process.

Consider how you can create hybrid work experiences around your company’s core principles. If your company encourages teamwork, you could organise a virtual team-building event.

Continuously Gather Feedback

Don’t forget to gather feedback from employees as you try to create the ideal hybrid working environment for your company. Make sure to provide multiple options for employees to express themselves.

Previously, the hybrid model was seen as an alternative working style. However, as more employees demand flexibility, it will become more widespread. Companies must meet their employees’ needs or risk losing their talents to competitors.

From now on, hybrid working will inevitably be part of our lives for the consolidated benefit of both employees and the business.