The post-pandemic work landscape has created and intensified various work models. One is the hybrid work model, which combines working at the office and from home.
To work in a hybrid environment, the employee’s nature of work must be flexible and designed for the digital landscape, such as in the tech industry.
For some companies, managers implement a specific schedule for when an employee can work from home and when they can work in the office. However, some companies leave such options to the employees. They can even come any day whenever they like working in the office.
If your company is currently considering implementing a hybrid work model, here are some useful tips to make it work for your team.
What is a hybrid work model in tech?
Hybrid work models allow employees to work anywhere and at the office. This is especially helpful to those who want to break free and recharge from the tedious work at the office while at the same time having something to look forward to on some working days when they can work anywhere.
When working from home, employees don’t have to wake up early just to get dressed and spend the next hour in a traffic jam. That is called work-life balance.
Pros of implementing a hybrid work model in tech
According to the 2022 Gallup survey, the greatest advantages of implementing a hybrid work model include the following:
- Improved work-life balance (71%)
- More efficient use of time (67%)
- Freedom to choose when and where to work (62%)
- Less work burnout or fatigue (58%)
- Higher productivity (51%)
These are only a few reasons why some tech employees and companies embrace the hybrid work model. However, there are also downsides to implementing such a model.
Cons of implementing a hybrid work model in tech
Using the same data from Gallup, some of the top challenges of implementing such a work model include the following:
- Less access to work resources and equipment (35%)
- Feel less connected to the organisation’s culture (32%)
- Decreased team collaboration (30%)
- Impaired working relationships with coworkers (24%)
- Reduced cross-functional communication and collaboration (23%)
Implementing a hybrid work model offers both pros and cons. Therefore, in making decisions, the pros should outweigh the cons.
Now, let’s see if your company is ready to adopt a hybrid work model.
Signs that your company is ready for a hybrid work model
Check out these three signs before implementing a hybrid work model.
You have enough budget for equipment and software programs
Hybrid work is costly since the company is dealing with not just what’s in the office but also when the employees choose to work offsite. Depending on the size of your workforce eligible for hybrid working, a budget must be set throughout the transitions as well as for contingencies for unexpected expenses.
Your company culture values productivity and creative thinking as opposed to presenteeism
Presenteeism is a company culture trait that’s an archenemy of implementing a hybrid work model. Whereas in presenteeism, productivity and commitment to work are measured by how much an employee is present in the office, it’s a different thing with hybrid working. Your company culture must not equate productivity with being present at the office.
Your employees are willing to adopt changes
Your employees must be willing to adapt to changes in the working structure; otherwise, working in a hybrid work model would feel like a punishment. Providing them with orientation programs will also make their transition to hybrid work easier.
7 Steps to implementing hybrid work for your team
Transitioning to a different work model will be a paradigm shift in the workplace. It’s not just a simple transition; it also comes with other important things, like mindset, perception of productivity, teamwork, and work-life balance.
To make adapting to hybrid work easy, here are seven steps you can follow, whether you are a big or small company.
- Communicating with your employees about the transition plan
The first step you should take is to communicate with your employees about your plan to transition. Talk to them about their thoughts and if they would love to work hybrid. You can also provide them with an option where they can choose to work purely in the office or at home, if they have trouble working hybrid. On the other hand, you can also have the jurisdiction to map out schedules for your employees if you want them organised.
At this point, it’s also worth noting that not all employees may be eligible to work hybrid. Specifically, it depends on the following factors:
- Location of the company offices
- Location of the employees
- Flexibility of management
- Needs, goals, and wants of the employees
- Nature of the work being done
It may also help to conduct an internal survey of your employees and gather those responses in the second step.
- Create a detailed hybrid work policy
At this step, you should be equipped to begin crafting a new workplace policy that accommodates a hybrid work arrangement. It is crucial to create a comprehensive approach that outlines unambiguous guidelines, procedures, and regulations for all potential work settings.
The policy should incorporate precise language that clarifies the following expectations and protocols:
- Identification of job roles that are eligible or ineligible for remote work
- Specification of the times and places where remote work can be conducted
- Specification of the times and places where in-office work is required
- Implementation of health and safety measures for in-office and remote workers
- Requirements for communication and availability Data security protocols for each work environment
- Policies promoting inclusivity and preventing harassment in each work environment
Throughout this process, you must consider and address all conceivable scenarios to provide comprehensive guidance.
- Developing a solid communication plan
The communication process should also be clear for each work setting—whether working remotely or in the office. You may start off with the following:
- Specific guidelines when addressing concerns
- Platforms to use
- Best times to communicate rules
- Where to address concerns
This way, communication will be in place, which will help ensure the operation runs smoothly.
- Readying the necessary technology and access plans
Work equipment, such as PCs, laptops, and software programs, must be properly established regarding accessibility and manner of usage. Here are a few tools that you can start with and that your hybrid will likely need:
- Video communication
- Cloud storage
- Cybersecurity and file encryption
- Email and office suites
- Communication
When establishing this step, get support from your IT team and ensure everything fits a hybrid work arrangement.
- Rethinking office plans
In transitioning to hybrid work models, you must also think hard about what to do with your office space. Consider if the same amount of space is needed or if it can be downsized or rearranged. Assess the significance of your office in your organisation and determine if in-office spaces are redundant or unnecessary for your remote team. Redesign, downsize, or close in-office spaces accordingly.
- Maintaining company culture
Maintaining company culture is one of the biggest challenges of implementing a hybrid work model. With employees working from different locations, finding ways to keep everyone connected and engaged is important. You can maintain company culture by organising virtual events such as team-building activities, happy hours, and holiday parties.
You can also encourage open communication and collaboration among team members through regular virtual meetings and brainstorming sessions. To ensure that everyone feels included, you should also consider having regular check-ins with employees to discuss their progress and address any concerns they may have.
- Evaluating employee satisfaction and making improvements
Regularly evaluating employee satisfaction and making improvements is crucial for the success of your hybrid work model. One way to gather feedback on the new work model is by sending out regular employee surveys. These surveys should focus on important areas such as work-life balance, communication, collaboration, and productivity.
After receiving feedback, analyse the results to identify areas that need improvement. Communication is essential when implementing changes or improvements based on employee feedback. Ensure that your employees know the changes and that their feedback is valued. This demonstrates your commitment to creating a positive work environment.
By regularly evaluating employee satisfaction and making improvements, you can ensure that your hybrid work model meets the organisation’s and its employees’ needs.
Top companies that embrace hybrid work models
During the peak of COVID-19 last year, big companies looked into remote and hybrid work models, particularly for tech.
They’re not only embracing it as something to be done in the current situation but also as a way of working it into the feature. Freelancing, digital nomads, and the rise of white-collar jobs have also intensified the rise of post-pandemic work setups.
Here are some of the forward-thinking companies that successfully embrace hybrid work:
In October 2020, Reddit adopted a hybrid work model that offers its employees the freedom to choose where they work, including the option of working in the office. This permanent arrangement allows for greater flexibility and autonomy for employees’ work location choices.
Spotify
Spotify introduced its “Work From Anywhere” initiative in February 2021, providing its employees with various work options such as remote, in-person, and hybrid models. In addition to work flexibility, employees are also given more freedom to choose where they live. For instance, if an employee relocates to an area far from a Spotify office and wishes to do in-person work, the company has offered to cover the cost of a co-working membership. This demonstrates Spotify’s commitment to providing employees with choices and support in navigating their work-life balance.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelancing sites in the world, where remote workers and freelancers gather. With its nature of work operation, the company follows a hybrid work model that prioritises remote work, with two physical office locations in Chicago and San Francisco.
Final thoughts
Transitioning to hybrid work may take a lot of effort and may be costly at first, but if you’re not going to adapt to the current work landscape, it may be challenging to maintain a long-lasting relationship with your employees. However, this doesn’t mean that hybrid work will work out flawlessly for your company. Rather, it would help if you considered the pros and cons of implementing such a model. Also, assess your company’s readiness and follow the steps here to make the hybrid work model work for your team.
By following these steps, a company can successfully implement a hybrid work model that benefits both employees and the organisation as a whole.