The professional world has drastically changed in recent years since the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, everyone is familiar with the concept of working from home. However, for some industries, it was difficult to execute work entirely from home. So, many companies have created the practice of hybrid workplaces. It is a combination of conventional office work and remote work, where companies will provide their employees the liberty to choose their locations and working hours. An effective hybrid workplace management contributes to the success of an organisation. To know the benefits of a hybrid workplace and its implementations, continue reading this article.
Advantages of hybrid work
A hybrid work structure benefits both employees and employers. Some of them are as follows:
For employees
Less commute time
The most common advantage of hybrid work is the reduction in travel time. Employees can spend less time in traffic and focus on more activities, be it hobbies, family, or personal development.
Flexibility and work-life balance
Employees may organise their working hours more freely using hybrid work, making it simpler for them to meet personal obligations. Working from home can help employees achieve a better work-life balance and minimise stress.
Increased autonomy
Employees who are indulging in hybrid work need to take greater self-organisation and personal responsibility. Employees may construct their own workweek and method of working, which may give rise to more autonomy.
For employers
Enhanced productivity and satisfaction
Employees may organise their work more freely and fulfil their own demands using Hybrid Work. Employee happiness and productivity may increase as a result of being able to more effectively organise their duties and invest less time travelling.
Reaching out to more talents has become easy
Companies may now hire staff despite their physical location, thanks to hybrid work. This considerably extends the talent pool while supplying firms with access to qualified workers they would not have had otherwise.
Cost savings
Another advantage of hybrid work is that companies can save money on infrastructure and workspace. Less office space equates to cheaper leasing experiences, and a decentralised work environment can also lead to operational costs and lower energy. Of course, this has implications for the company’s economic viability.
Implementing a successful hybrid work
Exercising hybrid work comes with challenges. Communication and collaboration between office-based and remote staff need well-defined communication protocols and a robust digital infrastructure. Since many employees cannot indulge in face-to-face contact, it is essential to retain a sense of cooperation and connection. Straightforward communication about workflows and expectations, frequent virtual meetings, establishing a culture of trust and cooperation and enabling a hybrid workplace software for information sharing and collaboration are some of the best practices.
How to create a modern office?
To create a modern workspace, companies and organisations shall:
Form clear communication channels
To make hybrid work a success, it is essential to have clear communication. Companies should exercise upfront communication channels that are available for teams and managers and are properly documented. To promote effective and open communication, solutions like project management tools, instant messaging systems and video conferencing platforms shall be used. To minimise misconceptions, specify which communication channels are acceptable for specific types of information.
Define goals and expectations clearly
Setting precise targets and expectations is important for the success of a hybrid work environment. Employers and employees should agree on what tasks must be accomplished, what dates must be reached, and what outcomes are expected. This establishes a defined framework for employment and boosts productivity.
Time management and flexibility
Working from a hybrid setup offer a great amount of flexibility to its employees. They can choose their working hours and act on it. However, time management is a skill that they need to master even with this setup. For that, employers can set priorities and schedule work ahead of time. This will help everyone strike a healthy work-life balance. Organisations should establish a disruption-free workplace for their employees and managers.
Tools & technology should be put in force
To run a hybrid workplace smoothly and effectively, it is important to invest in strong technological infrastructure. Companies should ensure they have the best software and equipment to work from any location easily. Furthermore, IT teams must test video conferencing systems, internet connection and other tools regularly to make sure they are operational. The most common tools for hybrid work include workplace booking tools, project management tools, video conferencing tools, and cloud storage tools.
Final Thoughts
Hybrid work has the ability to drastically change the work environment, and it can be advantageous for both individuals and teams. While businesses can benefit from cost savings and a greater talent pool, possibilities for improved work-life balance and flexibility may lead to greater productivity and job satisfaction. It is also important to understand the challenges of a hybrid workplace and exercise best practices, including hybrid workplace management software like ProHance. It is a cutting-edge workplace management software for both remote and hybrid setups. It provides productivity analytics that allows employers to make informed decisions about working out timesheets, distributing resources and tracking employee performance.
