Are you looking to learn more about how to create a successful hybrid workplace strategy?
You're in the right place. In this article, we explore the potential of a strong hybrid workplace strategy and the benefits it can offer to organizations and employees alike.
In today's rapidly changing world, the traditional work model is being redefined, and the hybrid work model has emerged as a flexible solution that combines the best of remote and in-person work.
This article will delve into various real-life examples of companies that have successfully implemented the hybrid work model, highlighting their strategies, challenges, and the positive impact it has had on their productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall work culture.
Let's dive in and discover how the right hybrid workplace strategy can revolutionize the way we work.
Hybrid work applies to any kind of structure where employees do a combination of remote and on-site work. Hybrid work is one of the most flexible working styles you can implement as a company. It often gives your employees more options than either a fully remote work structure or an in-office model would have.
Hybrid models offer a range of benefits for both employers and employees. These benefits include:
Employees can enjoy a better work-life balance, as they have the flexibility to choose where they work. This can be especially beneficial for those with long commutes or family responsibilities.
Many employees report being more productive when working remotely due to fewer distractions and a more comfortable environment. Conversely, being in the office can boost focus and collaboration for tasks that require in-person interaction.
Employees can save money on commuting, work attire, and meals when working remotely. Employers can also reduce overhead costs related to office space and utilities.
Offering a hybrid workplace model can make a company more attractive to top talent. It allows employers to tap into a wider talent pool, including individuals who may prefer or require remote work.
A hybrid workplace model can promote diversity and inclusion by accommodating individuals with disabilities or those who prefer a work environment tailored to their needs.
Reduced commuting and office space usage can lead to a smaller carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Employees may experience improved mental health and reduced stress with the flexibility to work from home when needed. They can also avoid exposure to illnesses that may spread in crowded office settings.
Companies can expand their operations by hiring employees from different geographic locations without the need for relocation.
A hybrid work model enhances a company's resilience to unexpected disruptions, such as natural disasters or health crises, by ensuring that work can continue remotely.
A hybrid work model allows employees to choose the work environment that suits their preferences and needs, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and engagement.
In-person office days can facilitate spontaneous knowledge sharing, team bonding, and mentorship opportunities that may be less prevalent in fully remote setups.
A hybrid workplace model allows companies to adapt to changing circumstances more easily, whether it's responding to evolving market demands, accommodating a diverse workforce, or adjusting to unforeseen challenges.
Employers can tailor the hybrid model to their specific needs, adjusting the balance of remote and in-office work based on their industry, company culture, and objectives.
It's important to note that the success of a hybrid working model depends on effective communication, clear policies, and the right technology tools to support remote collaboration. Additionally, it may not be suitable for all industries or roles, so careful consideration and planning are essential when implementing this model.
Although many working styles can fall under the hybrid category, not all hybrid structures are created equal. Some companies, for example, have designations for how many days employees are required to be in the office vs. remote, while others leave it up to employee discretion.
Although there is still debate on hybrid work, its productivity, and how this type of structure could impact your bottom line, there is evidence that a hybrid work model leads to increased employee satisfaction, which can be beneficial to productivity.
A 2022 Forbes study compiled several data sources on remote and hybrid work. These demonstrated that employees who worked under these structures improved job satisfaction, work-life balance, and even physical health— all factors that tend to help benefit employee productivity.
Although big companies like JP Morgan Chase, Amazon, and Apple are increasingly pushing for their workers to come back to the office, citing productivity and collaboration concerns, there is no definitive consensus on whether in-office work actually impacts productivity long-term.
As we mentioned, hybrid work structures can look very different depending on the company.
Here are a few popular models that you should get familiar with.
One popular way to work hybrid is the 3+2 model, consisting of 3 days worked in-office and two days left up to employee choice. During these two days, the employee can work in an office, from home, or anywhere else.
This model is becoming increasingly popular as a remote work standard. The idea behind 3+2 is that it gives workers a good balance of face time with their colleagues, while still incorporating the chance to stay home and cut down on things like commute time that can cause extra stress in the workday.
This type of model can also benefit your company by reducing office overhead costs like utility bills for lighting, Wi-Fi, or power for computers and printers.
It can even cut down on rent if you’re able to downsize your office to accommodate a smaller portion of your team at any given time.
Employees work primarily from the office but can take remote days if needed.
Employees work primarily from home but can take in-office days if needed.
One arm of your company works in the office at a time, depending on the project and company needs.
For example, if you’re getting to the end of Q3 and working on financial projections for Q4, you may want to have your accounting team focused on creating the company budgets in-office at this time. Meanwhile, your marketing, sales, or creative teams stay home.
That way, the finance team can work collaboratively, especially under tight deadlines. Being in the office can help get answers faster, rather than waiting on asynchronous communication.
In 2023, hybrid work has largely become standard in industries like tech, finance, and communications. Some of the world’s largest companies have had so much success taking their workplaces hybrid that they are continuing the model post-COVID.
The Swedish music streaming giant has been at the forefront of creative hybrid work policy. Spotify allows their employees to “work from anywhere.” For remote workers who prefer an office environment, they’ll even pay for access to a co-working space if a worker does not live near a Spotify office.
For Spotify remote workers who choose to work predominantly from home, the company offers a stipend that covers home office expenses. The company also focuses on a regional model, allowing workers to choose which country and city they want to work from within a given region (Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, or Asia and Pacific Islands) with company support.
This software marketing company surveyed its employees to find out which type of working models they preferred.
After examining the results, Hubspot came up with a three-tiered model, allowing workers to choose an in-office, remote, or hybrid style, depending on their working preference.
Hubspot also compiled a 2023 Hybrid Work Report, where they surveyed 5,000 full-time employees (a combination of remote, in-office, and hybrid) across ten markets to help better understand how their hybrid model is working as part of the company’s testing process.
Based on their company mission alone, it seems obvious that Slack, a digital messaging app for businesses, would allow their workers some flexibility in where they work.
The company was even at the forefront of drafting a how-to guide for helping companies adapt to the new realities in the world of work. The guide covers hybrid and remote structures that are instrumental in determining how distributed companies can work productively in 2023 and beyond.
The company follows a hybrid model called “Success from Anywhere”. The strategy was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers three styles of working: office-flexible, home-based, and office-based.
Salesforce later expanded on this policy, introducing Flex Team Agreements. Here, individual teams can determine how and when they work in a way that is most productive for the specific type of work they are doing.
If an individual team like sales, marketing, or engineering wants to implement no meeting Fridays or another particular working structure, they are allowed to do so as a unit. Using employee feedback, Salesforce continues to test different hybrid strategies like “Async Week,” where they canceled recurring meetings to focus on deep work.
By getting real employee insights, the company continues to tailor their policies to create successful hybrid styles that will benefit individual productivity the most.
An Employer of Record (EOR) can play a valuable role in supporting hybrid working teams by handling various administrative and HR-related tasks.
Here's how an EOR can assist employers and employees in a hybrid work environment.
Employers of Record can be especially beneficial for companies with hybrid working models because they have the expertise and resources to navigate the complexities of remote work, international employment, and compliance, allowing organizations to focus on their core business operations and the well-being of their hybrid teams.
Whether you have a hybrid team, in-office, or fully remote, Borderless is here to help you stay up to date on everything related to global hiring. Our daily blog posts touch on topics like international compliance, the latest in workplace trends, and best practices in HR. Check out our insights now.
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