Now that the world is opening up, Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted, and the world attempts a return to normality, more organisations and employees are looking at a more flexible work arrangement to fit the needs of all—and one that brings together the best of Work from Anywhere and traditional office setups. And this middle way is increasingly looking like a hybrid work model.
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What is hybrid work?
The type of hybrid work policy might vary from one company to the other, but the underlying principle remains the same—a hybrid workplace is one that allows its employees the flexibility to decide to work from wherever they feel most productive—whether that’s remotely, from an office, or a mix of both. This sort of arrangement is becoming more and more popular among organisations, as employers not only look for ways to boost their team’s work-life balance, but also empower their employees to work at their best. The demand for more flexibility is also one of the top reasons driving the Great Resignation, further driving organisations to explore hybrid work as a means of attracting and retaining their best talent now and in the future.
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What are the benefits of a hybrid work model?
Studies increasingly show that hybrid work is here to stay—with good reason. When done right, a hybrid work arrangement can benefit not only employees, but also organisations across different areas of business. Some of these advantages include:
- Improved work-life balance – with the right mix of remote and on-site days, employees can find a better equilibrium between their professional and their private lives.
- Increased productivity and employee satisfaction – happier employees tend to be more productive, and the flexibility that comes with a hybrid work model means they know that they’re trusted and empowered to do their job from wherever they think works best for them, which means they’re likely to work harder too.
- Better diversity and inclusion – having traditional 9-5 in-office work arrangements automatically excludes a good percentage of the hiring market. With the rise of more flexible options, companies can cast a wider net when hiring for a position. In fact, parents, carers, and people with mobility issues, just to mention a few, have seen a myriad of opportunities opening as a result of this flexibility—while companies thrive on hiring the best talent, and at the same time, provide better inclusion within their teams.
- Boosts business image – Embracing a hybrid work model shows a more forward-looking and flexible mentality, one that’s built on mutual trust between the business and its employees. And this is crucial to attracting the best talent in most industries.
- Enhanced company culture – Fostering company culture when people are working in multiple places might not be the easiest but when employees are asked to be in an office only when really necessary, there’s a higher chance of them experiencing a shared sense of purpose, as they know they’re being brought together for a reason.
- Improved collaboration – Both digital as well as in-person hybrid office arrangements can really improve the way employees work together. Whereas in-person meetings are better in certain situations, such as brainstorming sessions, virtual meetings tend to be easier to set agendas and set time limits. They’re also less reliant on physical space being available—making them ideal for town-hall meetings or company-wide meetings, which usually require the need for a space that can house your entire workforce all at once.
- Cut down on expenses – Having fewer people in an office at once means businesses can not only save on their utility bills, but also look at downsizing their space size. At the same time, employees can also save money on commuting costs as well as meals.
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Hybrid work and the office space
Naturally, this flexibility is not only revolutionising the daily life of businesses and their employees, but also, changing the physical space in which they operate. As a result, commercial real estate is adapting in parallel to these new needs, supplying businesses with an evolved approach to the office concept.
Although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all setup, the demand for more agile and dynamic spaces is increasingly on the rise. Organisations are looking for spaces that fit their work arrangement policy better and create the perfect environment for their employees to work and collaborate effectively and thrive not only as workers but as individuals. Having fewer employees full-time in an office means businesses can make do with fewer single workstations for each employee and make way for flexible workspaces, which can host employees in the office periodically. This shift makes it easier to dedicate more space to social activity within the office such as collaborative and loud corners for colleagues to simply socialise or chat over a coffee or a quick lunch. Take a sneak peek at Avenue 77’s plug & play offices for every day or some days of the week.
Whether operating from a traditional office layout or not, businesses have always put increased emphasis on where their physical space would be located. And that too has evolved with this change in the world of work. With increased flexibility and focus on employee wellbeing, companies are looking for spaces that not only make it easier for their employees to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, but also make their trips to the office worthwhile. Waking up in the morning and facing a commute tends to be easier if you don’t have to travel again to go to the gym, or to run a last-minute food shop—and Friday drinks might sound more inviting if the bar is a stone’s throw away from the office—so picking the ideal location is really key to the success of a hybrid work policy, and ensuring both employers and employees truly understand the benefits of adopting such an approach.
The concept of the office as we know it is transforming. If you’d like us to talk you through our work spaces at Avenue 77, drop us a message any time. Find out more about our work spaces on our website, as well as our Facebook and LinkedIn page.
