Everything You Need to Know about Hybrid Work [+ Tips]

Long gone are the days when going to the office every day of the week was the norm. Nowadays, more companies and employees are opting for hybrid work. Moreover, the rising trend of hybrid work will not fade - a hybrid work-focused survey shows that 87% of American participants would opt for a hybrid work schedule if possible.

According to the same report, over 50% of the employed respondents have the chance to do hybrid work or entirely work from home even after the most critical waves of COVID-19 have already passed. Although big companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Twitter reopened their offices, they have stated that the five-day working weeks will not return. Instead, their staff could opt for a hybrid/remote work model.

A hybrid way of working is when a company allows employees to mix in-office work with remote/on-the-go work. It can vary in terms of flexibility from one company to the other. For example, Microsoft’s hybrid workplace policy covers different work sites (countries), work locations (office vs home), and work hours.

Given the variability in the concept of a hybrid workplace, it's advisable to confirm the specific policy of the company you are interested in working for to see if it aligns with your preferences. Some companies limit hybrid work to either the office, co-working spaces, or alternative workstations. 

Alternatively, look for jobs/companies that offer hybrid work from home options if you are interested in being able to stay at home for some days while doing your job. Every employee has different needs; therefore, it is vital to find a company that fits the requirements. Regardless of the policy a company defines, both the company and its staff benefit from working using a hybrid approach.

Why is hybrid work still gaining popularity if most countries are returning to a pre-pandemic state? The answer is simple. There are several benefits for companies that maintain hybrid teams. Moreover, employees also can attest to the positive effects of such practice. Here are the most noticeable benefits of a hybrid workplace for employees:

Flexibility

The flexibility of hybrid work models allows individuals the freedom to decide when, where, and how they work remotely.

Productivity

It is not a secret that happy employees perform well, surprisingly up to 20% better than the unhappy ones. Providing them with the option to work remotely or hybrid instills a sense of trust and control, thereby increasing their productivity.

Job satisfaction

The sense of trust that comes with a hybrid workplace also increases employees’ loyalty to the company and positively impacts their perception of the job position.

But that’s not all! Working under a hybrid model also has some evident benefits for employers:

Better employer brand image

Looking to improve your company’s image? Start offering hybrid remote work opportunities. It shows a forward-thinking mindset and a trust-based environment that will attract candidates.

Bigger talent pool

A hybrid workplace could open the gates to recruiting talent from around the world based on company policies. Employers can get access to varied candidates thanks to this approach.

Less office footprint

Embracing a hybrid team structure allows companies to minimize the requirement for physical office space, leading to savings not only in rent but also in electricity and utility expenses. Additionally, employees enjoy cost savings from reduced commuting and meal expenses.

Let’s go over the different styles of working hybrid a company can offer their employees so you can choose the one that fits your needs the best. 

1. Flexible hybrid work model

It is the most flexible model, as employees can choose when to work from home (or elsewhere) under this hybrid work model. For example, they can decide based on the project they are working on; employees might prefer staying at home if they need to focus on their work.

Some of the biggest players in the tech industry are using this approach. For example, Cisco empowers hybrid working by giving total control to over 75,000 employees to decide where and how they want to work. 

Similarly, most of AMGEN’s employees expressed they wanted to maintain flexibility after the pandemic and the company delivered. Reports indicate that over 70% of employees can go hybrid or work from home.

2. Fixed hybrid work model

Unlike the flexible model, the company sets which days employees go to the office. It still counts as a hybrid approach since employees can still work remotely.

For example, Apple’s employees in the Bay Area are required to attend the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Additionally, Apple permits team leaders to choose an extra day on a case-by-case basis. According to the hybrid model the company has introduced, employees can still work remotely twice a week. 

Similarly, Amazon adopts a hybrid work model, allowing employees in corporate roles to decide the days of the week their teams will work in the office.

3. Office-first hybrid work model

Some companies that still allow hybrid/remote work need their employees to spend most of their time in the office because physical distance might become an obstacle. However, in most cases, the company allows them to work one or two days per week remotely.

For example, the hybrid work model used by Google requires its employees to spend three-fifths of their working time in the office.

4. Remote-first hybrid work model

This hybrid work model allows employees to do their tasks remotely most of the time. While the top management usually works in-office, most teams do it with remote flexibility.

The prime example, in this case, is Twitter. The microblogging social network allows employees to fully decide whether to go hybrid or work from home.

How can a company create the perfect atmosphere for hybrid teams? There are a few requirements and steps to facilitate the conditions that can help a company make hybrid work successful.

Understand your employee’s needs

Before making any decision, it would be in the employer's best interest to ask the employees to chip in with some opinions. Conducting a hybrid work survey can provide insight into what motivates the employees, which allows the company to create the most suitable hybrid work model.

Prepare needed infrastructure and equipment

The company should invest in technology, tools, and infrastructure to habilitate a functional hybrid workplace. It should ensure that the employees can communicate with each other and get their job done securely - wherever they decide to do it.

Build a strong company culture

A company should communicate its values, objectives, and overall corporate culture clearly so its employees can relate to them and help them achieve their goals when working with a hybrid model.

Constantly ask for employee feedback

Even after a company chooses a hybrid work model, it should constantly ask for feedback from the employees. Adapting to changes inside or outside the industry is vital to keep remote hybrid work viable.

A company also needs to facilitate efficient collaboration with its employees for practical hybrid remote work. Here are a few tips on how to do it:

Establish clear expectations and guidelines

Easy-to-understand procedures and guidelines make for an effective hybrid workplace. Employers should set rules that define who can apply for it, when and where employees can do it, and who will be in charge of deciding the in-office work time.

Communicate with each other

Effective communication is a must if a company wants to succeed in a hybrid work environment. Provide communication tools like Slack or Zoom, set guidelines for how to set and attend meetings, request input from other departments, etc. 

Treat everyone equally

In most cases, companies will not be able to have a 100% hybrid team.  Every employee must be treated equally. Team managers should allocate tasks equivalently and also provide identical supervision and support to each individual.

Arrange socializing/team-building events

Remote hybrid work might make it harder to build a sense of teamwork. To diminish that sense of individuality, companies can arrange monthly or bimonthly team-building activities to ensure that employees get to know each other and improve their teamwork skills.

Hybrid work is here to stay. It is beneficial for both employees and employers. Therefore, all the involved parties must understand how to apply for hybrid work successfully and effectively.  

Companies should start by listening to their employees to determine the best way of hybrid working: How flexible will the model be? Will it be office-focused or remote-first? Who will decide when employees will allocate their time to do hybrid remote work? And once the company sets a model, it is important to provide the right conditions (infrastructure, tools, equipment) for effective hybrid teams to reach the ultimate goals.

Communication becomes fundamental in fostering a productive hybrid workplace. The company should convey its core commitments and corporate culture to employees, empowering them with effective communication channels across various departments and teams. Finally, a company needs to provide equal treatment and facilitate opportunities that encourage team building to take full advantage of all the benefits hybrid work brings to the game.

--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa ---