The COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses around the world to adopt a remote work setup. This allowed many employees to work from the comfort of their homes and have more flexible schedules.
However, now that companies are returning to the office, some employees may want to continue working remotely. That’s where a hybrid work model comes in.
What is a hybrid work model?
A hybrid work model is a workplace setup wherein employees can work either remotely or from the office. In a typical hybrid workplace, employees have the choice of working in the office, working from home, or splitting their time between the two.
What are the advantages of implementing a hybrid work model?
Let’s take a look at some ways hybrid work can benefit both employees and employers:
Better productivity and satisfaction
When employees have the flexibility to work from home or from the office, they can design their work schedule based on their needs. This helps workers stay motivated and productive because they're working in a setup they're comfortable with.
For instance, an employee can work from home on days when they need to take care of their children or run a few errands, and then work in the office on days when they need to focus on their tasks.
When employees are free to work when and where they please, their job satisfaction increases.
Lowered costs and better safety
In a hybrid work environment, not everyone is required to come to the office at the same time. And if there are fewer people in the office, organizations can reduce costs. For instance, if most employees work in the office two to three days per week, workplaces can transition to a hot desk model, where workers occupy available desks instead of having an assigned seat. Since fewer individual desks are required, businesses can move to smaller spaces and reduce rental expenses.
Fewer people in the office also enables on-site employees to have more personal space and makes it easier for companies to enforce social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A hybrid work model is a workplace setup wherein employees can work either remotely or from the office.
What are the disadvantages of implementing a hybrid work model?
A hybrid work model also has some drawbacks, including:
Proximity bias
Proximity bias is the idea that in-office employees, who are in close physical proximity to their team and company leaders, will be perceived as better workers than their remote counterparts. This can result in remote workers feeling like they're missing out on opportunities to network and advance their careers. They might also feel that they don’t have the chance to bond with their colleagues, which can result in anxiety.
Mitigate proximity bias by being transparent about how work is evaluated and providing remote employees with the same training and development opportunities as on-site employees. You can also schedule regular video calls and team-building activities for your entire staff.
Burnout
The anxiety created by the fear of missing out can also make remote staff feel that they have to work extra hard or always be available. This can eventually lead to burnout, which can be aggravated by feelings of isolation and loneliness as a result of limited face-to-face interactions with colleagues. To address burnout, you can encourage breaks, promote healthy after-work habits, and motivate them to take some time off from work when they feel like it. You can also develop a work culture that focuses on employees’ productivity rather than availability.
IT security concerns
If employees decide to work away from the office and connect to a public Wi-Fi network, cybercriminals can hijack the connection to steal your company’s sensitive data, which can result in a data breach. To avoid this issue, consider deploying a virtual private network, which encrypts employees' internet connection and data. This enables your staff to work safely from anywhere.
Complete Document Solutions can provide all the IT services you need as you implement a hybrid work model in your organization. We will even get to know your business needs, customize your plan, provide IT consultations, and help you select the right hardware and software. Request a FREE network and IT assessment from us today.
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