Recent years have witnessed a great deal of change in the workplace, which has affected how people want to work.
Following the pandemic, firms are pushing employees to work more full-time hours in the office, which is making entirely remote work less prevalent. However, it appears that workers would prefer a hybrid kind of work.
According to research by Leesman, which the BBC reported, 94% of workers worldwide preferred hybrid working, with a preference for working from home 2.75 days per week. This shows how common hybrid working has become.
But employers aren’t so sure! Since these goals might be more difficult to attain in remote working environments, many businesses are concentrating on getting employees back into the office to spark team collaboration and increase engagement.
Thus, there is a disagreement between what employers are prepared to support and what workers desire.
We examine the benefits and drawbacks of hybrid working in this blog. In addition, we’ll outline five practical strategies for being a productive and seamless hybrid worker, whether you work in an office setting or from home.
How does a hybrid work?
Employees can divide their workdays between the office and their home thanks to hybrid working, which combines remote work and in-office time.
It blends the flexibility of working from home with the structure and teamwork of an office setting.
Nonetheless, a lot of businesses are worried about how employee engagement, experience, and culture may be impacted by hybrid working. Many have responded to this by implementing return-to-office policies that mandate employees stay in the office for a maximum of five days, including well-known companies like Disney and Nike.
According to a recent Resume Builder survey, 72% of businesses with office space report that returning to the office has increased income, and 9 out of 10 businesses with office space plan to do so by 2024.
As recruiters, we have observed that clients’ behaviors are evolving quickly. In the past, most jobs were done remotely, but today, Terry Payne, Global Managing Director at Aspire Recruitment, stated in a DMI podcast, “90% of our openings are for people who work in marketing.
What advantages does hybrid working offer?
Workers prefer hybrid working because it allows them to balance their personal and professional lives.
The top three advantages of hybrid work, according to Gallup’s research, are better work/life balance (76%), more effective time management (64%), and a decrease in burnout or weariness (61%).
Let’s examine each advantage in more detail.
- Better work/life balance: One of the main advantages of hybrid models for employees is the capacity to manage professional and personal obligations. Working from home, for instance, can simplify school or childcare drop-offs.
Better use of time: Individuals can plan their days to better organize their time and complete activities more quickly.
- Less weariness or burnout: People can prevent stress and burnout by improving their work/life balance. For many, for example, traveling to and from work each day can be an arduous and unpleasant task.
- Greater freedom: People who work hybrid schedules have greater freedom and flexibility with regard to their work hours. To accommodate commitments, working hours can be adjusted such that people begin work earlier or later.
Five strategies to succeed as a hybrid worker
Employee preference for mixed working is evident. According to Stanford University research by Nicholas Bloom, which The Economist referenced, employees believe that having a combination of in-person and remote work provides a benefit equal to an average 8% salary boost.
In fact, a lot of job seekers won’t even give a position without the flexibility of hybrid working a second thought. According to a recent CPL wage guide, 60% of applicants would decline a position if it did not allow for hybrid working.
Companies, however, are keen for workers to return to the workplace more frequently, if not full-time, given the aforementioned challenges.
1) Interact
For marketing teams, communication is critical since it fosters teamwork and increases production. As a hybrid worker, your role is to engage and provide many channels of communication.
Establishing expectations with your manager and team regarding communication, availability, and core hours is also crucial. This will depend on your function and the dynamics of the team, so be sure you understand what is needed to guarantee successful and efficient communication.
2) Make use of technology
The greatest ally of a hybrid worker may be technology. In order to prevent remote workers from endangering company networks, it is your responsibility to make sure you have all the tools you need to carry out your duties and to make sure any company networks are safe and have software patch or antivirus policies in place.
This implies that you must be able to use any tools that your team employs and be present in any discussions or threads where you are expected to contribute or deliver.
3) Request comments
A positive working relationship with your manager and teammates is essential for successful hybrid working.
Even if you’ve been using a hybrid style for work for some time, it’s still worthwhile to consider your thoughts and learn what other people have to say.
It’s not necessary to ask for or provide formal feedback; however, if you’d like, you can bring up hybrid working at a performance review or meeting with human resources.
4) Work together and use creativity
In order to be effective, marketers must work together because there are numerous channels and techniques to take into account.
It is frequently necessary to work in tandem with other departments in order to develop, organize, and implement a campaign or project. It’s crucial to prioritize innovation and think creatively in order to draw in and keep customers through a variety of media.
5) Encourage the advantages of mental health and wellbeing
Employees who work in hybrid environments are happier, healthier, and more productive, per a Mortar Research report. 68% of participants reported improved sleep quality, 54% increased their exercise, and 68% reported better general health.
Indeed, 75% of workers claimed that returning to an office five days a week would be detrimental to their well-being.
The daily commute is a major source of stress for many workers. If there is a lot of travel involved in getting to and from the office, it may be a stressful situation and add hours to an already long workday.
In conclusion, hybrid labor
Many workers need a work/life balance, which hybrid working offers. For many, this is just as vital as a higher wage.
Fortunately, there are a lot of solutions available to make hybrid workers more effective, productive, and cooperative.
Achieving a balance between in-office and home work that suits both you and your employer is essential to success.
It’s important to note that many businesses are considering implementing a four-day workweek. This might affect hybrid working because a reduced workweek might make working from home unnecessary. However this concept is in the early stages.