A hybrid work schedule is a combination of in-office and remote work. How it looks and why will vary depending on the company, its work culture, and needs. A hybrid work schedule has many advantages if organized properly. A recent study showed that telecommuters were 25 – 50% more effective employees than regular 9-5 office workers. If not set up correctly, however, it can lead to unwanted results including alienation, lack of unity and even depression.
What a Hybrid Work Schedule Looks Like (Examples)
Like we said earlier, each hybrid work schedule might look different depending on the needs of the company and its culture as well as the needs of its staff and clients. For example, one company might require its employees to come into the office on scheduled days of the week, such as a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Another company might rotate its employees on certain days to avoid large gatherings or crowding at the office. This may be part of the implementation of hot desking where offices have staff working at different desks or areas, taking their equipment with them.
Advantages
A hybrid work model offers plenty of advantages – flexibility being one of its best. A flexible work model allows employees to work around their busy schedules when not in the office. It also enables those who crave socializing to have those opportunities – or, if necessary, to carry out in-person meetings.
If crowding is a problem at the office, for health and safety reasons, a hybrid schedule could be a helpful way to free up space. Alternatively, using a hybrid method can reduce the cost of operation by saving money on rental costs, utilities, snacks, and drinks (since there will be fewer people at the office).
Some studies suggest that a hybrid work schedule has increased productivity. This may be because employees have to commute less, giving them more time to work on projects. It also enables employees to focus on their personal lives and families. Finally, in most instances, it provides a quiet environment where they can work without distractions versus an office full of noise and chatter.
Disadvantages
Now for the disadvantages. Communication and collaboration are the primary issues with a hybrid work schedule. If set up incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good. Not all industries are compatible with a hybrid model, particularly those that require in-person work.
Isolation can be a problem for some team members. While video conferencing and asynchronous communication can still generate productive work, the lack of unification and team comradery can lead to alienation and a lack of motivation in some. Managers should watch the hybrid work schedules of their teams closely to ensure that everyone is feeling included and policies are inclusive enough to encourage involvement from all members.
There are many tools and various software can lessen the impact of the hybrid work schedule challenges, but they may not resolve how employees feel about each other if they perceive that their leaders give better treatment to those who go into the office more frequently. Leaders will have to handle each unique situation by communicating clear expectations, incentivizing collaboration, and rewarding productivity.
How to Create a Flexible Hybrid Work Environment
Finding an optimal hybrid work schedule may require some trial and error as well as feedback from your employees. You won’t eliminate all of the challenges employees may face at home or the office – nor will you please everyone. However, there are ways to be as accommodating as possible.
For example, if noise is a big distraction for those who come to the office on a hybrid schedule, a Loop soundproof booth can fix this problem. If collaboration and communication are the biggest concerns, investing in tools such as Slack, Zoom, or ClickUp can bridge this gap (especially with clients or customers).
Hot-desking software is another helpful tool. It can help employees know who will be in the office on which days (or get accustomed to assigning or reserving seats if space is a concern). Using a simple scheduling tool like a calendar can even help employees know who will be in on which days.
Communicate Expectations; Receive Feedback
Make clear expectations and rules so that everyone knows what to expect to prevent work divisions or contentions. It will make for a smoother experience as you transition to a hybrid work schedule that works best for everyone. Don’t forget to ask for feedback; doing so can strengthen and build a healthy work culture.