What is Hybrid Working Model? | Akrivia HCM

Hybrid Working Model: A New Era of Work

The hybrid working model is a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and in-office work. It allows employees to choose where they work as long as they meet their job requirements. Hybrid work has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it offers employees a better work-life balance and employers a more productive workforce.

Benefits of Hybrid Work

For employees:

• Increased flexibility and autonomy:Employees have more flexibility to choose where and when they work, as long as they meet their job requirements. This can lead to a better work-life balance and increased productivity.
• Better work-life balance: Hybrid work arrangements can help employees to achieve a better work-life balance by giving them more flexibility and control over their work schedules.
• Reduced commuting costs and time: Employees who work remotely for some or all of the time do not have to commute to and from the office, which can save them time and money.
• Reduced stress: Hybrid work can help to reduce stress levels by eliminating the need to commute and by giving employees more control over their work environment.
• Increased job satisfaction: Employees who have the flexibility to work when and where they are most productive are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs.

For employers:

• Reduced costs: Businesses can save money on office space and other costs by reducing the number of days that employees are in the office.
• Increased employee satisfaction and retention: Employees who have a good work-life balance are more likely to be pleased with their jobs and stay with the company.
• Improved productivity and innovation: Employees who are able to work where and when they are most productive are more likely to be innovative and produce high-quality work.
• Access to a wider talent pool: Businesses that offer hybrid work arrangements can attract and retain employees from all over the world.

Disadvantages of hybrid working model

• Communication and collaboration challenges: It can be more challenging to communicate and collaborate with colleagues who are working remotely or on a different schedule.
• Fairness and equity challenges: It can be challenging to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equitably in a hybrid work environment. For example, remote employees may feel like they are missing out on opportunities or that they are not as visible to senior leaders.
• Invest in communication and collaboration tools: Businesses should invest in tools that make it easy for employees to communicate and collaborate remotely. This could include video conferencing software, chat tools, and project management tools.

Types of Hybrid Working Models

There are many different types of hybrid working models, but some of the most common include:

1. Split-week

The split-week hybrid working model is a flexible work arrangement where employees divide their time between working in the office and working remotely. This type of working model has becoming increasingly popular, as it offers both: the flexibility and autonomy of remote work, with the benefits of in-office collaboration and social interaction.

How Does a Split-Week Hybrid Working Model Work?

In a split-week hybrid working model, employees typically work two to three days in the office and two to three days remotely. The specific schedule can be customized to meet the needs of the business and the employees. For example, some businesses may require all employees to be in the office on Mondays and Fridays, while others may allow employees to choose their own days to work in the office.

Benefits of a Split-Week Hybrid Working Model for Businesses

• Reduced costs: Businesses can save money on office space and other costs by reducing the number of days that employees are in the office.
• Increased employee satisfaction and retention: Employees who have a good work-life balance are more likely to be pleased with their jobs and stay with the company.
• Improved productivity and innovation: Employees who are able to work where and when they are most productive are more likely to be innovative and produce high-quality work.
• Access to a wider talent pool: Businesses that offer hybrid work arrangements can attract and retain employees from all over the world.

2. Remote-first

The remote-first working model is a flexible work arrangement where employees primarily work remotely, but may have the option to come into the office for occasional meetings, events, or collaboration. In recent times, the traditional office-based work model has undergone a significant transformation. The COVID 19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work, leading to the emergence of the remote-first hybrid working model.

How does it work?

In a remote-first hybrid working model, employees are given the freedom to work from wherever they want, as long as they have access to the internet and the tools they need to do their jobs. Businesses that adopt this model typically have a strong culture of trust and accountability, and they rely on technology to facilitate communication and collaboration among employees.

Here are some of the key features of a remote-first hybrid working model:

• Employees are primarily located outside of the office and work remotely.
• The company provides employees with the tools and resources they need to work effectively.
• The company establishes clear communication and collaboration guidelines for remote employees.

3. Office-first

The office-first working model is a type of hybrid work arrangement where employees are required to work from the office most of the time, with the option to work remotely on a limited basis.

Benefits of the office-first work model

• Increased in-person collaboration and interaction: The office-first work model provides employees with the opportunity to collaborate and interact with each other in person on a regular basis. This can lead to better problem-solving, more creative ideas, and stronger relationships between team members.
• Improved communication and teamwork: In-person communication and collaboration can also lead to improved communication and teamwork within the company.
• Boosted morale and engagement: Employees who feel connected to their colleagues and their work are more likely to be engaged and productive. The office-first work model can help to foster a sense of community and belonging among employees, which can lead to boosted morale and engagement.
• Enhanced company culture: The office-first work model can also help to strengthen the company culture. When employees are together in the office, they have the opportunity to share their values and beliefs, and to develop a sense of shared identity. This can lead to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone.

How to implement a successful hybrid working model?

To implement a successful hybrid work model, you can follow these steps:

1. Assess your workforce: Which employees are well-suited for hybrid work? Which roles require in-person collaboration? Once you understand your workforce, you can create a hybrid work policy that is fair and equitable.
2. Provide the right technology and resources: Hybrid work requires employees to access the right technology and resources, regardless of where they work. This includes providing laptops, mobile devices, video conferencing equipment, and cloud-based software.
3. Create a culture of trust and accountability: Hybrid work relies on trust and accountability between managers and employees. Managers need to trust their employees to be productive even when they are not in the office, and employees need to be accountable for their work.
4. Get feedback from employees: Getting regular feedback from employees on the hybrid work model is important. This feedback can be used to make improvements to the model and ensure that it meets the needs of employees.