With the 2020 global pandemic, remote work began to gain popularity. Organizations started to see the possibilities of getting work done outside the four walls of their office.
As the pandemic continued to adversely affect businesses, the concept of “Hybrid workplace” birthed a ray of hope to cope with the growing crisis. This hybrid work arrangement is comparatively a new concept that has been adopted to implement a smoother workflow while dealing with the impact of the pandemic on businesses.
What is a hybrid workplace?
A hybrid workplace is an arrangement where employees come to the office a few times a week and complete the rest of their tasks from home. It is a mixture of remote work and the classical 9-5.
This idea is the future of work and we’re seeing more organizations going this route.
Pros and cons of a hybrid workplace
Pros
- Emphasis is on productivity, not efficiency
- Reduced cost of operation
- Redefining collaboration
Cons
- Client experience is diminished
- Increased employee isolation
- Difficulty maintaining productive routines
Implementing a hybrid workplace model
Reimagine How Work is Done
In designing a hybrid workplace, you should rethink how work is done. Begin by Identifying processes, tasks, and activities that require discussion using the “in-office” experience before the pandemic and check how these communications have been impacted by the lockdown and work from home experience.
Include your employees in the process
When you want to transition to a hybrid work model, there is a greater chance that this would be successful if employees feel included in the journey. Send out employee surveys and polls to your employees, ask for input on how they feel about remote work and coming to the office.
Invest in necessary Tools
The inclusion of a hybrid work system will require the appropriate and prompt use of the tools available in the market. While the model will allow the use of office spaces for a definite time, most of the work will be done remotely.
Communication technologies such as email and instant messaging platforms are also necessary as they are designed to aid collaboration and communication.
Conclusion
Post the 2020 pandemic, businesses have been empowered to reimagine the workplace and seek opportunities to optimize it. For the hybrid workplace to be successful, it must be well planned and executed.
While the hybrid workplace may seem like an answer to a temporary problem, it could be the future of work providing ways to structure and balance work, safety, communication, and mental health.
