Before Covid-19 kicked in, we all thought that executing our job duties in person was the only way to go (with a few exceptions, of course).
However, during the pandemic, we all had to experience the remote work model at some point and it was a game-changer for the business world.
Now, according to a recent Microsoft report, 73% of employees surveyed deemed flexible remote work options more attractive than regular in-office schedules.
Even so, some businesses simply cannot go fully online and still need on-site interactions in order to keep their productivity levels up.
That’s why companies are redesigning their physical spaces and virtual workstations to better incorporate hybrid work practices.
In the following paragraphs, you’ll learn all the essentials: how hybrid teams function, the benefits and the downsides of a hybrid work schedule, and the organization behind such a work model.
Table of contents
What is a hybrid work schedule?
The hybrid work schedule is based on the idea of combining working from home and working from the office.
Employees get to meet at the office a couple of times during the week and for the rest of the days, they can enjoy the flexibility of remote work.
It’s the symbiotic existence of traditional on-premise teams together with people working from different locations.
The hybrid work setting has become very popular because managers and employees design the work schedule together by enjoying the certainty of fixed office hours and the flexibility of organizing daily tasks as they wish.
There aren’t any strict rules on how to create a hybrid work policy because it hugely depends on the type of business and services offered.
What does hybrid mean in the workplace?
The organization around building a flexible schedule might seem complicated since you have to provide employees with equally well-put-together physical and digital working space.
However, with the right remote work tools and apps, anything is possible.
Some of the already established examples of hybrid work schedules include the following:
- Split-team: Companies have two types of workers – employers who work full-time remotely and never go to the office and employers that are required to be on-premise.
- Shifts: Everyone gets to work in the office a few days per week and from home for the remaining days.
- Flexible: It’s a personal choice for each worker whether they prefer to be on-site or work fully remotely.
💡 Pro tip
Managing an office team is hard enough, imagine how it’d be when you have two different work environments. For a successful flexible work schedule, you have to use the right technology. Here’s how to ensure seamless communication and effective collaboration for your hybrid team.
What are the benefits of a hybrid work schedule?
According to Forbes, the hybrid work model is “a win for all involved” since the benefits of working from home are quite a few:
Productivity
People don’t lose time trying to catch a train for their commute to work.
Instead, they have more time for a morning coffee or breakfast which hugely contribute to their level of motivation and, therefore, to their productivity.
Inclusivity
Companies do not limit themselves to hiring only locals.
Thanks to the remote team option, they can dive into the global talent pool and find professionals from other cities or countries.
Fewer expenses
It goes both ways.
Employers downsize their offices or repurpose unused conference space to fit the needs of their hybrid team which can save them a lot of money.
Meanwhile, employees don’t have to pay every day for gas or public transportation in order to reach the office.
The possibility to have face-to-face meetings
Organizations still have physical spaces where one can seek assistance or request a meeting with someone superior if the matter is better to be discussed or handled in person.
What are the possible challenges of the hybrid work model?
A flexible work schedule might solve or decrease a few downsides of the on-site business world but it also presents new ones.
Time zones
Different countries mean different time zones sometimes which makes it difficult for everyone to be present at the same time.
This could also be a benefit if your business requires 24/7 support because you’ll have workers ready to operate around the clock.
The “invisible team” syndrome
People who meet on-site tend to have better interactions and form stronger bonds with each other.
This means that the virtual teams might feel left out from time to time.
This could be easily fixed if occasional face-to-face meetings are made possible by the team leaders.
Communication misunderstandings
You may want to create clear guidelines on how the communication process should happen.
Some people that are not used to attending video meetings or using project management software might find it challenging and might require assistance at first.
How many days a week is a hybrid?
As we mentioned, there are various hybrid work schedule examples, depending on what different businesses find suitable.
Some of the more popular ones have the following distribution of on-site/off-site shifts.
The two/three split schedule
3 days at the office, 2 days at home.
This approach is one of the most popular choices among employers but it’s highly critiqued because it doesn’t offer much flexibility and it isn’t seen as a benefit but as a compromise.
The half/half schedule
Half of the working days can be spent at home, the other half is for the office.
Such practice allows employees to socialize at work and manage their time better but it wouldn’t work if your team is international.
The remote first schedule
The common preference is the remote work model but the company still maintains an office for those who prefer to work on-premise.
It’s one of the most flexible options because employees have complete freedom of choice for their work environment.
The cohort schedule
This type of hybrid work model gives companies the power to separate employees and teams into different cohorts and choose which ones could stay at home and which should be in the office (and when).
To choose which model is the best for your business, Harvard Business Review recommends carefully assessing not only your business but your employees’ needs as well.
All questions answered
The hybrid work policy is a great solution for those businesses that value their employee’s preferences and also want to optimize their space and time management to the fullest.
Although changing the business model might be a complicated process, it is definitely worth it since it provides financial, personal, and professional benefits to everyone.