Work is changing. The traditional 9-to-5 is slowly becoming a thing of the past—especially after the pandemic—even if life has yet to return to 100% normal.
This is true even for those who work from home, which is where many people find themselves these days. Clocking in your 8 hours at an office is over. Instead, people work when they’re most productive and can give their best effort at any time.
Read on to know the changes in the workplace and how they can affect you as an employer.
What Is a Hybrid Work Setup?
A hybrid work setup is a combination of traditional and telecommuting work. This means that employees can report to the office on a flexible schedule. Some companies have decided to go entirely remote but keep a small office space for meetings and collaboration.
This type of setup has many benefits. First, it gives employees more flexibility since they can choose when to work from home or come into the office based on their needs. It also helps companies save money on real estate fees and overhead expenses, allowing them to hire more people without increasing other costs.
Hybrid work setups are becoming more common as technology makes it easier for employees to do their jobs remotely for some days of the work week—even throughout—vs. having to commute to the office five days a week.
The Advantages of a Hybrid Work Model
According to Zippia, “59% of employees are more likely to choose an employer that offers remote work opportunities over one that doesn’t.
As a business owner, you’ve probably wondered about the advantages of a hybrid work model. You might have heard that it’s more efficient and productive, but what does that really mean? Here are some basic advantages.
Improved work-life balance
Studies have shown that employees who work remotely or on a flexible schedule are happier and more productive than those who work full-time in an office. Employees have more freedom over when and where they work, which means they can spend more time with their families—or enjoy some downtime—without feeling like they’re missing out on something at work.
Hybrid work models are also great for businesses because they reduce overhead costs by eliminating fixed costs such as office space, utilities, and furniture.
More efficient time management
A hybrid work model can help business owners to save money and make their employees more productive. With less commuting time, employees have more time to get their work done. They also can work from home when they have a sick child or need to attend a doctor’s appointment.
This makes them happier and more loyal, which translates into lower turnover rates for your business.
Minimized risk of burning out
Burnout is a serious problem in today’s workplace, as it can lead to decreased efficiency, low morale, and, ultimately, lower profits. When you have burnt-out employees, they cannot give their best performance or make the most of their time at work. This can lead to decreased employee retention rates and increased turnover rates—both of which can be detrimental to your business’s bottom line.
A hybrid work model allows employees to get away from their desks and rejuvenate themselves without worrying about whether or not they’ll be able to return after taking some time off.
Better productivity
Hybrid work models are a great way to increase productivity at your company. There are fewer distractions when employees can work from home or remotely from the office. Moreover, employees can plan their days around work instead of missing it altogether. This means they are more focused on their work and more likely to complete their assignments promptly.
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How to Implement a Hybrid Work Model
The hybrid work model can bring the best of both worlds to your business. It keeps your employees happy and productive because it gives them the freedom and flexibility they need to perform their work. If you’re unsure how to implement this model in your business, here’s what you need to know.
1. Establish a centralized, cloud-based system
One of the first steps to implementing a hybrid work model is establishing a centralized, cloud-based system. You can create a workspace on your choices of cloud service, such as Google Cloud or Amazon Web Services. The next step is to create user accounts and assign them roles based on their job functions.
You may also want to consider using a secure password manager to help manage passwords for all your users.
Some things to look into include the following:
- Teaching employees how to follow and set up home office preferences and requirements
- Using video conferencing tools
- Maximizing project management platforms
- Utilizing workspace management software
2. Adopt a remote-first approach to work
The next step in implementing a hybrid work model is adopting a remote-first approach. This means you’ll make it easier for your employees to do their jobs from anywhere rather than expecting them to be in the office daily.
This approach is essential because it allows workers more flexibility, which lets them work when they’re most productive and focused. It also helps with retention—if your employees can work from home, they don’t have to move if you relocate or close an office.
Adopting this approach will ensure your business stays competitive and retains top talent by offering flexibility and freedom.
3. Request employee feedback (and respond to it)
If you’re implementing a hybrid work model, you know that it’s essential to have clear lines of communication between employees and managers. To ensure this is met, you need to be open to feedback. This means:
- Listening carefully to your employees’ concerns
- Taking their suggestions seriously
- Acting on them if possible
The Bottom Line
Hybrid workspaces are a great way to grow your business and ensure your employees are happy. If you’re looking for ways to improve your company’s productivity and morale, consider implementing a hybrid workspace.
