Advantages and tips to implementing a hybrid work model

According to a new study from Microsoft, the wave of remote work caused by the pandemic is leading to a bigger – and more permanent – disruption to the workplace: hybrid working. This means that some employees may work from home while others go to the office, or a mix of both.

However, business leaders may be ill prepared to deal with this, from employees with a lack of home office supplies to unreliable internet connections. And, while productivity of working from home is high, so is employee exhaustion – with many feeling overworked and lacking a work-life balance. A number of employees are reportedly considering leaving their employer sometime this year -- a feat made easier with the abundance of remote working possibilities. This is supported by another study, by Robert Half, which found that one in three employees would consider quitting if they are required to return to the office full time. 

But in order for a hybrid workforce to work well, the normal structure of the workplace needs to be updated. As offices in Canada prepare to reopen now that vaccinations are underway, what do employers and employees need to consider as they shift to the new workplace model? 

Be Flexible: There is no single policy or plan that would likely fit all the circumstances of the hybrid work model, so ensuring a flexible work environment will promote productivity and help maintain a work-life balance. For example, some people may be strictly in-office, others strictly at home, and some a mix of both. Some may also put in time before or after typical 9-5 hours, so acknowledging that but still keeping emails and texts to within typical office hours will help prevent burnout. The time to experiment with a range of solutions is now. 

Create New Norms: When part of the team isn’t in the office, it’s important to create new norms that are beneficial to both onsite and offsite teams. For example, in an office setting, if there’s a team meeting, everyone gathers in a conference room and bounces ideas off of each other or updates colleagues on their part of a group project. As a new norm, group meetings that include off-site employees should be conducted as if everyone is working from home, where onsite employees connect from their desks. This allows offsite employees to better hear and see their in-office colleagues and can help those working remotely to feel more comfortable participating.

Maintain Social Connections: Studies throughout the pandemic have shown that those who are able to maintain connections to their colleagues are more productive now than ever before. Encouraging colleagues to keep in touch, even about matters not related to work, is important. Setting aside time before or after meetings for colleagues to catch-up, setting up casual group chats via text or organizing regular video lunches are all ways that employees can maintain contact with one another.

Once a hybrid workforce has been established, there are a variety of benefits that everyone can take advantage of: 

• Freedom and flexibility of where and when to work. And with that autonomy, employees have an increased satisfaction of the job

• With less employees in the office, costs of overhead are reduced as employers find themselves needing to rent less office space to accommodate the in-office workers

• Since those who work best in the office can be in an office, and those who work most effectively at home can work from home, there’s increased productivity 

• A better work-life balance as a result of the hybrid model also encourages increased productivity, as it promotes mental wellbeing, prevents burnout and minimizes stress

COVID-19 has provided a stage for change to how the world works, and by implementing a hybrid work model now, you’re setting your business – and employees – up for success in the future.