Let's talk about hybrid work.

The traditional 9 to 5 work philosophy is up for debate these days and with good reason. The aftermath of Covid-19 is resulting in organizations becoming more flexible to meet the demands of employees who want more time to create a better work-life balance. This could require new initiatives and organizational restructuring to accommodate employees to be able to work from everywhere, but is it worth the effort?

Let us tell you why.

What is Hybrid Work?

The concept of hybrid work emerged as a response to the unique circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It represents a fusion of two distinct elements:

Remote work, characterized by employees working from locations outside the traditional office.

In-office work, where employees physically occupy a designated workspace.

This amalgamation is not limited to a specific formula; instead, it is a spectrum of possibilities. Hybrid work arrangements can range from employees spending one day a week working from home to visiting the office only once a week, with numerous variations in between. This adaptable approach to work has gained traction in a rapidly evolving professional landscape, where flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability have become paramount.

Trust Is the Key to Hybrid Work

If you want to have a successful hybrid working environment, you need trust going both ways. Leaders must believe that the employees they have hired are able to hold ambitious standards of work ethics at home and anywhere else they want to work. If there is a lack of trust within the organization, then even the best hybrid work models will fail to deliver results.

The most important task for management is to recruit the right people to do a task, which will yield a positive impact on the organization. When the right people are selected, the management should work to remove friction from employees - making it as easy as possible to do the tasks that have a positive impact on your organization.

Let Employees Choose How They Want to Work

If the task of management is to hire the right people and remove friction, then a brilliant way to start is to ask your employees how and where they ideally would like to work.

• Some employees might be happy being at the office from 9 to 5 - great! Then you know how to satisfy these employees.
• Other employees might want 1 or 2 days at home to focus on tasks that require a deeper level of concentration. With this knowledge, you could remove friction for these employees by allowing them to work from everywhere which will help those not being able to concentrate deeply in the office.
• Workers who have children might want to leave work early so they have time to pick up their kids and get chores done at home. They might be willing to put in a few hours in the evening after their kids have gone to bed.
• There are also people that work best from home, only getting to the office for social gatherings or important sessions.

The point is that a hybrid work environment is best practiced being an active choice for employees. If employees feel that they can design their work to fit their needs, it could bring tremendous value to the organization. But keep in mind that it has to be an option. One way of organizing a hybrid work schedule might be the right for one, but not for everyone.

What Are the Downsides of Working from Anywhere?

Changes in an organization are often followed by positive and negative consequences. This is the same with hybrid working initiatives. If you choose to have more flexibility in your organization, you miss out on other important things.

Tacit knowledge is difficult to distribute

Tacit knowledge is the unspoken knowledge possessed by your employees based on previous experiences and learning. It is tacit because oftentimes, you do not think about this knowledge in your daily work-life. This knowledge only becomes visible to your organization once you interact with other employees.

You might talk about a problem during lunch with another employee, where you have the perfect solution because you have already experienced the same problem somewhere else.

This kind of knowledge is difficult in a hybrid environment because social interactions are limited.

Social interaction in the organization will be limited

While the flexibility of working from anywhere is undoubtedly a benefit, it comes with its own set of challenges, notably the limitation it places on social interaction within the organization. When employees opt to work remotely, the opportunities for spontaneous office encounters and face-to-face interactions are reduced. This means that maintaining a strong sense of connection and camaraderie among colleagues requires more effort.

To offset this potential drawback, organizations must proactively implement strategies to keep their teams engaged and connected. This could include virtual team-building activities, regular video conferences, or fostering a culture of open communication where employees feel encouraged to reach out to their peers.

Finding the right balance between remote work's flexibility and maintaining a vibrant social environment is key to ensuring a harmonious and productive work experience for all.

What Are the Benefits of Hybrid Working?

Hybrid work, with its blend of remote and office-based work, presents a wide array of benefits that can positively impact both organizations and their workforce.

Recruitment with less limitation

Imagine the potential for recruiting top talent from around the globe, unrestricted by the boundaries of your office's physical location. In a well-established hybrid work environment, you have the freedom to scout and onboard professionals with precisely the skills and expertise your organization requires.

These individuals can seamlessly contribute to your organization's growth and innovation, all while working from the comfort of their homes or preferred remote locations. The possibilities are endless once you've mastered the art of a successful hybrid work setup.

Fewer desks - more social space

In a hybrid work setup, the traditional office layout is undergoing a transformation. We no longer require those long rows of desks because some employees are working remotely. This shift provides a unique opportunity to re-imagine our office spaces. Instead of dedicating vast areas to desks, we can introduce more social zones where employees can gather, interact, and collaborate in a relaxed atmosphere.

Imagine cozy lounges designed for brainstorming sessions and enhanced meeting rooms that are accessible to all, both for internal and external purposes. This transformation not only fosters a more dynamic and adaptable workplace but also encourages team cohesion and creativity.

How AskCody Helps Create a Flexible Hybrid Work Environment

At AskCody, we are working to create the future of work spaces by optimizing facility usage and minimizing friction when using office resources. If you want to learn more about how we envision a modern workspace - feel free to read here.

One of the ways we do this is by making it easy for employees to book meetings, desks, and everything related to these activities - such as ordering catering, digitalizing visitor management, analyzing facility usage, and much more.

Our features such as meeting booking and desk booking make it easier to create a hybrid work environment because employees can book office resources directly from their Outlook calendar. This optimizes the usage of office facilities while giving in-office and remote employees an overview of who is currently working.

Learn more about our features.

Conclusion - Hybrid is here to stay

In conclusion, hybrid work is a growing trend that offers numerous benefits for both employees and organizations. By allowing employees to choose how and where they work, organizations can create a more flexible and balanced work environment. However, it is crucial to establish trust and maintain social interactions to overcome the challenges of working from anywhere.

With the right tools and strategies, such as those offered by AskCody, organizations can successfully navigate the transition to a hybrid work model. Embracing this new way of working opens up opportunities for recruitment, optimizes facility usage, and promotes a better work-life balance. So, if you're looking to create a flexible hybrid work environment, explore the possibilities and start reaping the benefits.