What Is Hybrid Working and How Will It Change the Way We Work?

During the pandemic, remote working fast became the norm, and proved to be surprisingly successful for many companies in the UK. It helped business owners realise that employees could be trusted with flexibility and there was often no noticeable dip in productivity. While there is no doubt that remote working provides many benefits for both employer and employee, the value of face-to-face communication and a strong company culture that comes with spending time together in the office also can’t be understated, which is why hybrid working models could be the future for many businesses. In this article, we will cover what hybrid or blended working is, the benefits, and how to successfully implement your own plan.

Hybrid Working Meaning

Put simply, hybrid or blended working is a flexible working model that allows employees to work both remotely and in the office. This is created to allow employees to split their time between the office, home or public working spaces, depending on what works best for them and the company. Hybrid working models are nothing new and have been growing in popularity over the last decade, but the impact of multiple lockdowns because of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen this accelerated in recent times. People have become so used to working from home that returning to five days in the office might have a negative impact on productivity and work-life balance, but businesses who want to recapture the success of collaboration and socialising in the office could work with employees to agree a blended working plan that benefits everyone. This could be as simple as agreeing that everyone must be in two or three days a week, but allowing employees to choose which days.

Why is Hybrid Working the Future?

According to Xerox’s Future of Work Survey, on average, 82% of the US workforce is expected to be back in their workspace in the next 12-18 months. But returning to the office isn’t as simple as telling people they are losing all flexibility and five days a week in the workplace becoming the norm again. During the pandemic, many of us have got used to working remotely and enjoyed the benefits that come with it, whether it’s accommodating childcare, being active on lunch breaks, or just saving money on a lengthy commute. Although some people might be excited by the prospect of returning to the office, others might not want to lose the benefits of working remotely, so hybrid working models help businesses find a compromise that works for everyone.

A survey done by Stanford University in May also revealed that over half (55%) of workers want a mixture of home and office working, showing that hybrid working has the support of the majority. Innovations in the way we can communicate remotely are also paving the way for hybrid working models, allowing employees, clients, and business partners to easily hold meetings, presentations, and pitches virtually. Face-to-face communication can lead to a better exchange of information and stronger business relationships, meaning many businesses want important meetings to still take place in the workplace. This further suggests that blended working could be the future, providing employees with an understanding that they will be required to be in the office from time to time.

Benefits of a Hybrid Working Model

We have touched on some of the benefits of blended working, but here are what businesses stand to gain from a successful flexible working plan:

Increased productivity

People work better in different environments and allowing them some choice over where they work can lead to improved levels of productivity. Some may feel they need to be in the office to achieve their best results, while others prefer to work quietly at home with no distractions. Employees may also want the option of coming into the office for face-to-face meetings, to use equipment, or for a better internet connection. Having a hybrid working model where the office is open, and employees can choose whether to use it, will allow everyone to work in an environment where they feel most productive.

Improved job satisfaction and wellbeing

We have become so used to flexibility with work during the pandemic that reverting to five days a week in the workplace could impact job satisfaction and wellbeing. Blended working provides employees with a sense of freedom when it comes to where they work, while more control over their working schedule and homelife leads to a positive feeling about an employer and improved wellbeing. It also gives employees more time to stay active, support their children, and visit loved ones at a care home or hospitals, which can also help them look after their mental health and wellbeing. With hybrid working plans fast becoming the future of business operations, employers who don’t offer their employees some flexibility could lead them to looking for a new job.

Better collaboration and working relationships

While technology allows us to efficiently communicate through Teams or Zoom, with features even allowing for presentations and videos, it doesn’t compare to face-to-face interactions. Seeing your colleagues in person makes collaborating easier; if you need something you can walk over to their desk rather than relying on a Teams message or having to schedule a call in. Not only does it improve collaboration, but it also promotes employee engagement with their colleagues, leading to better working relationships. Working together in the office allows employees to chat during breaks, plan socialising outside of work, and take advantage of any company perks such as drinks or free fruit.

What Makes a Successful Hybrid Working Model?

A hybrid working model depends on the needs of the business and its employees, but there are things you can do to improve the chances of it being successful. Firstly, consider the following:

Can you trust your employees?

A hybrid working model hinges on employees’ ability to work as productively remotely as they would in the office. This works both ways though, and employees rely on employers to help them manage their workload in a way which suits them between the home and the office.

Do your employees understand what hybrid working means?

Your employees need to know exactly what hybrid working will mean for them; understanding what is expected of them can help you decide as a business what is the best plan for everyone moving forward. Discuss how they should behave, communicate, and what you as an employer will provide in return.

How will everyone communicate?

Efficient communication is paramount for a successful blended working scheme. You need to make sure you provide your staff with the right tools for communication.

Will the model impact employees’ health and wellbeing?

Health and wellbeing are important when it comes to deciding on your plan for flexible working. No regular access to staff and the potential isolation that comes with working from home can cause people’s mental health to suffer.

How to Implement a Hybrid Working Model

Once you’ve considered all the above, there are also steps you can take to successfully implement your hybrid working model.

1. Create clear policies and procedures

Creating clear policies and procedures can help make the transition into hybrid working easier for your employees. You should make employees aware of the following:

• The type of hybrid working model you will be implementing
• How to request hybrid working and who is eligible
• Employees’ roles and responsibilities in the new model
• How hybrid working impacts current company policies
• Your approach to disciplinaries, grievances, performance and absence  

2. Legal implications of moving to hybrid working

You need to consider the legal implications of moving to a hybrid working model. New employment contracts should state their contractual location, naming their home address as their workplace. Employees should also be recommended to consult their landlord, mortgage provider and insurance provider, as it could lead to changes in policies and payments. Employees working from home are also eligible to certain tax benefits, and it’s important you make them aware of this!

3. Provide employees with equipment they need to work remotely

We touched on the importance of effective communication in a hybrid working model and providing employees with the right equipment and technology to do this should be a priority when it comes to implementation. Instant messaging tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams or Google Chat should be set up to keep people connected, and meeting rooms should have speakers and cameras to allow those in the office to contact people working remotely. Outline employees’ responsibilities and inform them they can ask if they need anything to help them do their job more efficiently.

4. Include training and development in your hybrid working model

Learning and development should be provided to help employees cope with any new challenges or demands that come with the plan. Communication, time management and team building are all essentials in a hybrid working plan and could provide areas for focus. This type of training and development not only helps employees remain productive, but it can also include advice for taking care of your mental health and wellbeing while working remotely.

5. Offer employees the opportunity to participate and feedback

As an employer, you only have so much scope for how successful a hybrid working model is. Employee participation can help them have a say on what works best for them, helping you refine your model to maintain the highest levels of productivity and happiness around the business. Knowing they have a voice can also make employees feel more positive about the hybrid working model and increase job satisfaction.

We have covered everything you need to know about hybrid working, and how you can successfully implement a plan into your business. Different types of blended working plans look to be the future for businesses post-pandemic, and not understanding or considering this type of flexible working could see your company fall behind competitors. If you need any help planning for hybrid working or buying equipment and furniture for employees returning to the office, visit Furniture At Work for more information and high quality products.