Hybrid workplaces are the future of work – here's why
Many employees are fed up with the one size fits all workplace model. In fact, 73 percent of your workforce prefer to work in an organization that offers more remote work options. Why? Remote work has spurred a work-life balance since many remote workers now find more time to spend with family and friends.
But another 67 percent of the workforce want to be in work arrangements that allow face-to-face or in-person collaboration with their team members because it encourages learning and provides opportunities for career advancement.
By and large, creating a flexible work environment might be the new pillar initiative for rewarding wellness at work, especially following the increasing number of employees that report burnout cases. So yes, the future of work is hybrid, merely because your employee expectations are changing. But with these changes come new opportunities for your business as well.
For instance, a hybrid work model is very cost-effective for businesses since it encourages workspace utilization and it removes the need for maintaining unnecessary facilities in the office. But what exactly is a hybrid work model?
Understanding The Hybrid Work Model
The core of the hybrid office model is to provide employees with the flexibility to work between the office and their remote physical space. And while hybrid work arrangements can come in many forms, in essence, a hybrid environment supports every employee’s work-style and preference.
It achieves this by allowing them to have a seamless ebb of flow between working in the office and working from home. But it requires a robust system of communication and implementation. Currently, many corporations like Amazon and Google are adopting a hybrid workforce into their business culture.
So, why is this becoming the new workplace norm? Let's find out.
Why Hybrid Workplace Is The Future
• Your Employees Demand It
Yes, 77 percent of your workers are looking forward to engaging in hybrid setups in their organization. And with good reason. A hybrid workplace means that the employee's work style is fully supported.
They can work in the office when they want to or when it's necessary and work from any other remote location just as well. It also means that employees get to save on commute time and costs, which leaves them with a better work-life balance.
This then allows employees to operate more authentically, which helps foster a happier and more productive workforce. And since a hybrid setup empowers the worker by giving them autonomy, it motivates them to adapt better work practices and habits.
One other great advantage of adopting a hybrid work model is that it enhances employee wellbeing. More so, many workers have reported increased cases of fatigue during and after the pandemic. Therefore, a hybrid environment is an excellent way to address pandemic fatigue in the workplace. Why?
Its flexibility can allow each worker to set aside a few minutes every day to relax and unwind, making a significant difference in combating burnout. Besides, 2.9 million Canadians are still remote employees, and they would prefer to keep this autonomy well and alive long into the future.
• Technology Enables It
Technology is making it possible to have remote jobs, so who is to say that this transformative force will not greatly support remote companies entirely in the years to come? If anything, a growing number of video, team messaging, work management, and collaboration applications are already in widespread use. Moreover, major advancements with artificial intelligence and the internet of things (IoT) will help employers and employee stay better-informed and safe.
For instance, many workers now need the assurance that their in-person workspaces are safe following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. That said, organizations can incorporate IoT sensors to determine the number of workers in the building to limit occupancy.
Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify spaces that offer social distancing and safety measures. What's more, if a company is to create a hybrid work model, it requires transparency that supports a distributed workforce.
This is where technology comes in: many options enhance collaboration and productivity within remote work settings. Enterprise apps are especially convenient and excellent at providing better collaboration between staff members.
You do not want your company to face the cost of poor employee engagement after all. In addition, AI can automate workspace schedules for employees who wish to have occasional time in-office.
• Your Company Needs It
Think about it, once you get a significant portion of your employees to work from home, you deem part if not most of your office space unnecessary. With AI in place, you can identify these spaces quickly and either release them or find better utilization for them. This means fewer maintenance costs.
Also, if you have fewer people at the office, you need less operational costs. Aside from reducing costs, a hybrid workplace is excellent for making gains and productivity, translating to increased sales and company revenue. Here's how:
Your employees are your company's foundation. So the key to your business success significantly lies in the state of your employees. And when you have a hybrid company work model, you give your workers autonomy, which offers them fewer disruptions, and increases productivity.
In essence, hybrid workplaces make the employees feel trusted and supported. In turn, they become motivated to give the organization the best results. Indeed, happier workplaces are more productive workplaces.
Chiefly, one significant reason your company needs a hybrid workplace is that it reshapes your business goals and objectives into a more employee-centric one. As such, it can steer your company miles ahead of your competitors since you're investing in the right technological tools and employee engagement activities.
Conclusion
Expect a hybrid workplace to be part of your company's long-term strategy, even though adopting the model is not yet fully figured out. Everything considered, the pandemic did fast forward the inception of the hybrid model in workplaces.
But one thing is sure, the change in employee needs, company needs, and technology advancements have made the business model necessary. So embrace the hybrid concept or face the possibility of watching your business perish in the future.
Discover how to Qarrot can help your organization transition to a hybrid model by keeping employees connected - book a demo with Qarrot today!
