HYBRID WORKPLACE

Definition of the term

A hybrid workplace also known as the hybrid workplace model is a new concept that allows employees to come to the office or workplace occasionally for work depending on their convenience. Certain employees may not have access to all resources from home during remote work; they therefore can come to the office to complete the remaining tasks.

This new concept assists not merely the organization in creating a smoother workflow while dealing covid-19 pandemic but also it also presents huge benefits for the employees to deal with personal affairs including family and other concerns.

So, why do many organizations want to implement this new concept?

Following up on the above meaning of the hybrid workplace has already given insight into the possible outcomes and benefits of adopting it in the core of the business.

Along with dealing with the covid-19 pandemic, many businesses have been affected and this has caused an impact on the way of running a business as such numerous entities or organizations have shifted from working at the office to remote work as a backup plan to meet the short-term and long-term goals and objectives requirements.

Random interviews with working people and business owners have been conducted to navigate covid-19 pandemic and post-pandemic. Likewise, New York Times (April 2021) elaborates on some companies' responses regarding the reopening of the office as they rely on remote work during the covid-19 pandemic and how they will arrange to meet the organizational requirements including long-run objectives? If they enable to do so, or not.

As a result, the companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Ford responded as follows

 “Google’s “flexible workweek” calls for employees to spend at least three days a week in the office and the rest at home. Microsoft’s “hybrid workplace” means most employees can spend up to half their time working remotely. Ford Motor’s “flexible hybrid work model” leaves it up to workers and their managers to decide how much time they need to spend in the office.”

Meaningfully, the idea of creating a hybrid workplace lies in the expected future outcome in the long run of the business. It helps to deal with the transition caused by the covid-19 while maintaining productivity and increasing employee engagement.

The benefits of a hybrid workplace

The hybrid workplace model presents large benefits for organizations as follows:

1. Reducing operation costs – the organization may not need to pay for the physical office location and it helps them to save extra cash for another investment to promote business growth.
2. Increase in productivity –  the employees become more aware of the responsibilities and engage themselves perhaps trying to give their best to meet the duties requirements and more.
3. Increase in employee satisfaction - the hybrid workplace gives more freedom to the employees as they can choose where they can work at their convenience whether office or home and it, therefore, improves the work-life balance.
4. Increase in autonomy and confidence - the employees may feel comfortable and free of work pressure compared to working at the office. Thus, it enhances self-confidence and autonomy.
5. Teams collaboration - the employees do not need to go to the office to communicate with colleagues or the management. The hybrid workplace already gives an efficient tool of communication to facilitate the flow of information while working at home or any other place. Moreover, it helps teams to get in touch with each other and work collaboratively with the assigned project works and maintain a good quality of work, and keep up performance and productivity.

Summing it up 

Many organizations adopt this new concept of "HYBRID WORKPLACE" as a transition to navigate along with the covid-19 pandemic and as a strategic plan to cope with the change of the effect post-pandemic on the organization as a whole. As mentioned in the article big corporations like Google and Microsoft and among others have shared their views on how they will do to maintain a good workflow and create a favorable working environment for the team members and other stakeholders. 

On the other hand, some organizations are still wondering as they do not have a proper plan on whether or not to implement the hybrid workplace. The future is uncertain, nevertheless, the organization must understand and follow the evolving trends to make the operating business sustainable.