The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in many lasting changes. The biggest of these changes impacts the way we work. There was a time when remote workers seemed almost as rare as unicorns. But once the pandemic hit, almost all of us became remote workers seemingly overnight. In the aftermath, companies and employees have noticed some surprising benefits from the fully remote model. Yet there are still some advantages to working in a traditional office that they aren’t quite willing to give up on. In response, many companies are considering a hybrid work model.
What Is The Hybrid Work Model?
The hybrid work model differs greatly from one company to the next. In some workplaces, employees work in the office for two or three days and then they are free to work from anywhere the rest of the week. In another model, a workplace might have some full-time remote workers and others full-time on-site. Still others use some combination of these models.
Benefits of the Hybrid Model
It’s no secret that employees appreciate a number of benefits from the hybrid work model. The ability to work from anywhere puts them in control of their time, offering the possibility of improved work-life balance. This new flexibility allows them to be present to children and other loved ones during the day. And they can choose to work at a time of day when they are most productive.re are financial perks to the hybrid model, as well. Employees can save a lot more from their paycheck by cutting down on the cost of commuting and childcare.
None of this is surprising. What is surprising, though, are the increased profits made by companies who adopt a hybrid work model. The research shows that allowing some or all of your employees to work remotely results in savings of about $11,000 a year.
How to Adopt the Hybrid Model Effectively
Despite all the benefits of the hybrid work model, there are challenges to its successful implementation.
One issue is the inconsistent experience among workers who are remote and those who are on-site. In some cases, if remote workers are not interacting as much with leadership, they can get passed over for well-deserved promotions or recognition.
Another problem is that remote workers may sometimes miss out on important communication.
Group brainstorming sessions, personal connections, and simply the experience of getting to know coworkers on a more personal level can disappear if leadership is not intentional about facilitating them.
A coworking space like ours can solve most of these problems for you. Meeting rooms and zoom rooms allow the easy flow of conversation among on-site and remote workers. Desk spaces, both open and dedicated, allow employees to co-work comfortably. Quiet booths for zoom calls and phone calls make communication seamless, as does high-speed Internet.
And of course, those long-cherished icons of the traditional office space, the coffee maker and the water cooler, are there for your enjoyment, as well.
With the right space, you can leverage the power of the hybrid work model, reaping all the benefits of productivity and flexibility that it provides.