Sponsored featureSince the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been a lot of changes in the global job market. The hybrid work model is steadily gaining popularity.Although it has existed before, it was rather an exception. But today, more and more professionals are interested in flexible hours remote jobs and more adjustable options. In partnership with Jooble, we’ve created this guide on the hybrid model, why it is popular, and its benefits.The team lead visits with his team virtually to review feedback from the customer.What is hybrid work about?Hybrid work is a flexible employment model that combines in-office and remote work. It means that professionals can perform their duties from any place they consider productive. For instance, some might work three days at the office and two days remotely in a week.Before the COVID-19 pandemic, such models existed mostly in the IT and consulting industries. However, nowadays it is obvious that there are major benefits of this employment for many other spheres as well.There are four types of hybrid work models:- Flexible – employees choose where to work individually based on their priorities for the day;- Fixed – a company decides when employees work from the office and when they perform remotely. For instance, one team can come to the office on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the other one on Mondays and Wednesdays;- Office-first – employees are expected to work primarily at the office, but they can choose remote for 1-2 days per week;- Remote-first – on contrary, here employees primarily work remotely but sometimes they come to the office, for example for meetings. In any case, hybrid employment offers more flexibility and freedom for specialists. And it has proven to be effective as well.According to McKinsey’s research, the majority of executives noticed a boost in individual productivity during remote work. The same source states that 52% of professionals prefer hybrid work. What does the future hold for this new trend? Experts confirm that it is here to stay as it is advantageous not only for employees but also for employers because:- It helps to boost employee satisfaction and increases retention;- It reduced travel and real estate disbursements of companies;- It is more environmentally friendly with lower C02 emissions, lower rates for office heating, and reduction of electricity use.For now, it is hard to say which of the four models is the most productive. It depends on the company’s specifics and activity. But it is important to find a balance between flexibility and corporate culture, collaboration, and healthy work relationships.Five reasons why employees prefer hybrid workThe main reasons for specialists to opt for this employment model come from the benefits it offers. According to the study by Dimensional Research, 57% of professionals would consider leaving the company if they have to return to the office full-time.The same source highlights that 99% of knowledge workers see the benefits of working from home. Here are the top 5 of them.FlexibilityIt is impossible to deny that flexibility is a major advantage for any person. The ability to choose the workspace allows for more productivity and overall satisfaction. If you need to focus on the project, you can opt to stay at home with no distractions. When you need to collaborate with the team, you can commute to the office and have them in proximity.In a hybrid work employees often can decide where and how would they do their tasks. It gives them an opportunity for a healthier work-life balance. And it also provides more control over their career.Bigger talent poolCompanies, on the other hand, have access to a wider talent pool. When daily commuting is out of the picture, the geography of recruiting significantly increases.It is incredibly hard to attract talent when you need to convince them to spend 2-3 hours a day in public transport or traffic jams. But if they can perform their job remotely, it makes the offer much more appealing. Also, the more freedom specialists get, the more they appreciate the employer, which leads to long, loyal, and fruitful cooperation.Saving costs and timeProfessionals get to save time they would spend on commuting, which is a huge benefit. And companies get to save costs on office spaces, electricity bills, and equipment.There is also a less carbon footprint that comes with a decrease in constant transportation. People do not have to drive every day to work, so there fewer C02 emissions. Also, the hybrid model saves companies travel expenses and disbursements related to office restock.High team connectivityIn comparison to a fully remote, the hybrid model offers more collaboration between employees. They still get to work together and have meetings and face-to-face communication. Thanks to the wide range of tools, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others, employees feel more engaged in the working process. This beats the challenges of such challenges of remote as emotional disconnection, isolation, and worsen team connectivity.Basically, it takes the best parts of remote and full-time employment models and combines them into one.Agile workforceFlexibility also comes in terms of personnel reorganization and problem-solving. It is easier to adopt new approaches and adjust to new models of cooperation.Hybrid work challenges and how to handle themOf course, some challenges come with this type of employment as well, such as:- Lack of coordination;- Collective creativity challenges;- Maintaining company culture.But these issues can be handled by conscious efforts. For example, the fixed model allows better coordination as a company knows when different teams will be at the office and can schedule events accordingly.Another solution to better coordination is the implementation of modern tracking and communication software in the workflow.Working on the company’s culture and creative problem-solving needs a new approach as well. Companies need to establish clear values and common goals. They also need to build corporate culture on inclusivity, trust, and empathy. It might incorporate new ways of collaboration and interaction online and offline.In summary The hybrid work model gains more recognition among companies and employees. It offers more flexibility and freedom, which leads to higher satisfaction and fulfilment. It also allows for saving costs and time and creating a more agile workforce. Although it comes with some challenges, they can be overcome with a new approach to corporate culture and work interactions.
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/the-top-5-reasons-why-professionals-choose-hybrid-work-today-9342975/
The top 5 reasons why professionals choose hybrid work today
