The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to shift to a remote work model for a period of time. When offices began to reopen, many businesses were challenged with the questions of when to return to the workplace and whether or not to return at all.
While some businesses have chosen to transition to a WFH model for the long-term, going fully remote may not be a possibility for many traditional, office-based organizations. A hybrid workplace model accommodates employees who aren’t quite ready to return to the office or enjoy working from home and employees who thrive in the physical workplace.
What is the Hybrid Workplace Model?
The hybrid workplace model defines an organization that is split between remote and office-based workers, with teams made up of employees from both groups. In some hybrid offices, employees can choose to work remotely, in the office or at a local coworking space on any given day. Other hybrid workplaces may demand a certain amount of days in the office. The hybrid workplace model presents both pros and cons.
Advantages
Safety: The hybrid model ensures health and safety for your employees by mitigating large groups of people together at once. With the option to work from home, workers can reduce their risk of contracting a virus and prioritize their wellbeing.
Flexibility: Employees are given plenty of flexibility when it comes to when, where and how they work. They may opt to work from home if a family emergency arises or they have an appointment during the workday or go into the office when they feel they’ll be most productive there.
Diversity: A hybrid workplace model encourages diversity and access to outside talent that is not limited to your geographic area or a strict in-the-office schedule. You’ll gain fresh new perspectives and invite a wide range of talent to your team.
Challenges
Company Culture: Employees working from home may feel left out of the company culture without being able to attend in-person meetings and events. There may be a disconnect between different WFH and office shifts of people, making synergy a challenge.
Maintaining Routines: Maintaining productive routines can be difficult in a hybrid environment, as work-life integration can bring daily interruptions. Switching between WFH and the office might be stressful for some employees that rely on a stringent schedule.
Collaboration: Collaboration between remote and office employees can be challenging. When you’re working with hybrid teams, you can’t brainstorm ideas or organize a quick, unscheduled meeting in the office. All communication must happen online as if everyone was working remotely.
