Globally, the Coronavirus pandemic has caused organizations to rethink how they approach work. An increasing number of workplaces are considering a fully remote or hybrid system. The rise in work from home was a trend before 2020; however, the pandemic resulted in a significant increase in remote working.
Based on the findings of Global Workplace Analytics, remote work has increased by 159 percent since 2009, which makes the debate between working from home and working from the office related to productivity patterns is a common occurrence.
Working away from the office offers advantages such as saving time commuting, spending more time with family, and pursuing personal interests. There is a compelling case towards working from the office most of the time. The most significant disadvantage of working from home is that employees feel isolated and detached from their colleagues and organizations over extended periods. Based on my experience, I have observed that working from home may not be suitable for all people, especially for those with small children or those who prefer a fixed schedule of working from an office. The ability to monitor their teams’ performance and maintain a sense of unity can challenge leaders who work from home, which makes them question if their organization should consider a work-from-home or an office-based model of working?
The ‘hybrid’ office emerges as a third model. This model is epitomized by its flexibility and the ability to work from multiple locations. Employees may work remotely, on the go, or in the office. Organizations may also hire employees from different geographical areas and permit them to work remotely.
The reason it works.
A hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility in terms of when and where to work. Hence, the employees can plan their work around other aspects of their lives. Flexibility in the workplace relieves employees of the stress of commuting each day, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones and on things that matter most.
In addition, organizations have access to top talent, happier employees, and employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Considering a world in which employees prefer flexibility and want to work from home while still coming to the workplace for improved communication among teams and networking opportunities, a hybrid model may be a more viable option. It’s ideal to combine the best of both worlds: structure and sociability on the one hand and independence and flexibility on the other. According to data published by Microsoft recently, more than 70 percent of employees wish to have remote/hybrid work options available even after the pandemic has ended.
As we navigate our way through the pandemic and cases start to decline, the hybrid model of work remains relevant. Companies must adopt structural modifications to allow employees to work more effectively in a hybrid environment. To thrive, both employers and employees must adapt to the changing workforce.