Implementing a Hybrid Workplace

More and more companies are changing their work model to the hybrid model. Companies that want to generate new employees need to plan well to create a culture where all employees feel comfortable. The hybrid workplace is a good way to achieve this.

What is a Hybrid Workplace?

• The hybrid workplace model is a new model that consists of working both at home in the home office and the office. The employee can choose whether to work from home or go to the office.
• The hybrid workplace allows employees to improve their work-life balance and also makes it easier to return to the office. With the shift to a hybrid workplace, you also need to adapt processes. You need to give your employees the tools to work innovatively, effectively, and creatively. So that you can achieve the business goals together. In general, this helps to increase employee productivity and flexibility in the long run, which increases motivation. Tips to increase the motivation of your employees can you find on this blog post.
• The goal of the hybrid model is to create a balance between productive work and work-life balance. Employees should therefore have the flexibility to work where they can work best and most effectively.

3 Types of Hybrid Work

In itself, the hybrid workplace is already a hybrid of different types of workplaces. However, there are also smaller differences and possibilities, for example, these three models:

1. Remote-First Model.
   • This model consists of the company working remotely only, with a few exceptions. For employees where it is necessary to be physically present, it is not possible to work from home, while employees, where this is not necessary, are free to decide where they work.
   • The principle here is that employees can also work across different time zones.
2. Occasional Office Model
   • Some companies need and want to go to the office for various reasons. The employees can then come to the office occasionally, for example, a few days a week. It is up to the company whether they use it as a “loose” model without fixed guidelines or not. In any case, this model is not based on 100% remote work, but employees can work in the office for a certain amount of time.
3. Office – Happy, Remote – Allowed Model
   • In this model, you have both options open, but your first choice is the office. However, depending on the position, you can offer your employees a remote workspace. In this model, the management team mostly works from the office.

Why do More Companies Have a Hybrid Workplace

• Workplace and employee priorities have changed in recent years. Some are reluctant to return to the office, others are looking forward to it. But all agree that you should replace the traditional way with a flexible approach.
• In the last year, it has been shown that with tools and software, it is possible to work effectively anywhere. In the future, employees will therefore also want to choose where they work. For example, they often want to save the commute to and from work to spend more time with family or friends and have a work-life balance. However, this should not mean that personal meetings with colleagues are neglected, which is why the hybrid model is very well suited and is also becoming established in more and more companies.

Advantages of a Hybrid Workplace

1. More Productive Work
   • If you’re a company that supports remote and flexible working, you’re bound to ask yourself if it affects productivity. But the hybrid working model gives employees some freedom to pick and choose where they work best and where they feel productive. Therefore, you can start a test for your company itself to see if employees work more productively before or after implementing this work model. Most of the time, however, employees work at least as productively or even more productively because of the freedom it gives them.
2. Higher Position Satisfaction
   • To improve employee position satisfaction, the hybrid model is also suitable. This is because employees in this model are more satisfied at work than those who only work remotely in a home office. The freedom to choose where to work gives employees a good feeling, which in turn has a positive effect on effectiveness and motivation at work.
3. Cost Saving
   • By not needing as much office space, you can save costs in this area and also improve agility. Many companies see an economic benefit of the hybrid work model here. You can reduce the costs for rent and everything else that you need in the office and invest the saved costs in other things.

Disadvantages

1. Training for Remote Work
   • When you decide to use new technologies, you need to train your employees and support to help them get the most out of the technology.
   • This could be considered a challenge for the company because it needs different training for the remote workers and the office workers. Therefore, the right solutions need to be used here and virtual and face-to-face training needs to take place.
2. Management
   • The management of the hybrid model is an important aspect. It is to maintain the corporate culture, both for remote and office workers. Maintaining productivity and treating both remote and office equally also plays a role.

Tips for Implementing a Successful Hybrid Workplace Model

1. Do Not Rush
   • Don’t rush anything until they are ready. Having an early conversation with employees is important so you can find out what they think about returning to the office. Once they have had a conversation with employees, they can decide how many days can be scheduled for in the office and how many they would like to stay in the home office. If many employees prefer the hybrid model, you can weigh whether they can adopt that model.
     
2. Set Policies and Expectations
   • Make sure all employees know about the flexible policies so they can collaborate better and work regardless of location. Policies include work hours, expectations for employees and online tools that can be used, and, for example, the ability to have a do not disturb button. Information on when video conferencing must be possible or that breaks are taken is also part of these policies.
   • The guidelines help the team better navigate and figure out what works best for the team.
     
3. Encourage Learning and Development
   • There are so many new applications, and more are being added every day. Therefore, employees are always required to keep learning and developing as well. You should create a culture where employees are open to new ways of working and doing things. As a company, you want to stay innovative and relevant.
   • In the hybrid model, the classic approach such as group training only works to a limited extent. Therefore, you could introduce online trainings, with which employees can work online from anywhere.