THE AGILE BUSINESS: WHAT VALUE DOES A HYBRID WORK MODEL REALLY HAVE?

September 28, 2022 – 5 min read

You’re probably very familiar with remote and hybrid work by now. Driven by the pandemic, remote working was once a necessity, but it is now becoming the new workplace standard for employees everywhere.

Businesses and organizations in all industries have been experiencing this drastic change in addition to a shortage of workers across the country with new job positions on the rise daily. A study from McKinsey and Company found that 26% of workers in the United States are preparing to look for new employment opportunities, mainly because of the demand for remote or hybrid work opportunities.

How can you stay ahead of these challenges and successfully implement a hybrid working model?

In this post, we’ll discuss the impact hybrid working could have on your business and the best practices you can use to make a smooth transition to a new workplace.

What is A Hybrid Work Model?

A hybrid work model is a structure where an employee’s schedule consists of both in-office and remote work. Companies and organizations may provide employees with the ability to structure their own schedules as they see fit, or they may provide them with a fixed schedule that combines on-site and remote work.

Hybrid work can take many forms across businesses. For example, some companies may require employees to work full-time either in-office or fully remote while other companies may offer their employees a combination of the two.

The value of hybrid work model

Following the aftermath of the pandemic where remote work became popular out of necessity, workers everywhere across all industries began to favor the concept of working remotely or adopting a hybrid work model for the convenience and flexibility it offers, while being able to stay connected to their families or avoiding stressful commutes to the office.

47%

Of employees are likely to look for another job if their current employer doesn’t offer a hybrid work model

47%

Of employees are likely to look for another job if their current employer doesn’t offer a hybrid work model

41%

Of workers would even be willing to accept a job with a lower salary if their company offered hybrid work

41%

Of workers would even be willing to accept a job with a lower salary if their company offered hybrid work

According to a study from Envoy, 47% of employees are likely to look for another job if their current employer doesn’t offer a hybrid work model. That’s nearly half of the workforce that values hybrid and remote working over the traditional office setting. 41% of workers would even be willing to accept a job with a lower salary if their company offered hybrid work. Additionally, more than half of employees believe hybrid working would positively benefit them.

No matter what industry you’re in, this drastic change in the way we work is having a global impact that can affect your business. This means that if your workplace doesn’t adapt to the new ways of working, it could mean losing employees, poor customer experiences, or even a loss in profitability.

The Shift in Hybrid and Remote Working

You may already be facing problems with finding labor and retaining your current workforce. Or you may even be facing issues caused by the supply chain crisis, noticing a shortage of workers and resources everywhere. You’re probably asking yourself, what does this mean for you and your business?

With all of these challenges arising, it is crucial for your business to adapt to a changing world. It is important to listen to the feedback from your current employees and the qualities prospective employees may be looking for when choosing a job position. Since most employees value a hybrid or remote working model, it may be beneficial for your business to implement one.

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Best practices for moving to remote and hybrid working

The shift to remote and hybrid working has changed the way we have been working for the past few decades, leaving many unknowns and new challenges for us to navigate.

To help you, here are a few best practices for transitioning to a remote or hybrid work model:

Invest in Technology

Businesses everywhere are facing problems right now trying to bridge the gap between remote and on-site employees or trying to find ways for employees who work a hybrid schedule to collaborate with other employees. Investing in technology can help to close this gap and create a successful hybrid work model.

Implementing communication platforms, video conferencing technology, and any necessary software will help your employees stay connected with each other and provide them with the tools and resources they will need to complete projects.

Investing in automated technologies is another great way to close the gap. Deploying systems like a digital mailroom or document scanner will help you move your business into a digital format that can further support employees while also increasing your operational efficiencies and reducing costs.

Reinforce Company Culture

During the recent pandemic, 39% of people were struggling with maintaining connections with their colleagues while working remotely, according to a study from McKinsey and Company. As much as people value remote working, there is substantial evidence that social bonds and relationships struggle while working remotely.

To help transition to this new way of working, it is important to reinforce your company culture and invest in ways to bring people together. This is where technology can come into play, helping to close the communication gap. Virtual team building activities and company events could even help connect employees. For workers who are on-site, improving the physical workplace and reinforcing company culture will make the office a more exciting and valuable experience. It will also help them stay interested in coming into the office and connected to those around them.

Gather FeedBack

One of the most important best practices for remote and hybrid working is to gather feedback from your employees. Each workplace is different and not every solution will work. Listening to your employees and their needs will not only tell you how to adjust your workplace model, but it will make them feel valued.

You can gather feedback from your employees by reaching out to them directly or by conducting a survey. Do your employees prefer working in-office or remotely? Do your employees want to have a combination of remote and on-site work? What resources will they need to work effectively? It is important to ask your employees these questions as it will provide you with more direction.

The Future Of Work

Remote and hybrid work are no longer alternatives offered only by a few companies. The pandemic accelerated this change in the way we work. Employees everywhere are looking for companies that offer hybrid or fully-remote positions because of the convenience, flexibility, and ease-of-mind these positions offer. It is crucial for your business to adapt and keep up with the demand for a remote environment.

THE AGILE BUSINESS: WHAT VALUE DOES A HYBRID WORK MODEL REALLY HAVE?

What is A Hybrid Work Model?