During the pandemic, we became used to working on our laptops from the kitchen counter, the couch, or, for those lucky enough, a real home studio. Working from home for so long has reshaped the lives and routines of so many people that a shift has occurred in the workforce. In the years following the lockdown, a new work model has become more and more popular: hybrid work.

What’s the difference between hybrid work and remote work?

Remote workers work from home (or from anywhere) 100% of the time and may not have the option to go into the office, while hybrid work mixes in-office and remote work to offer flexibility and support to employees who can choose to work wherever and however they are most productive.

What are the benefits of a hybrid work environment?

Hybrid work offers benefits to both employees and employers.

Even as major employers like Amazon are  demanding that all employees come back to work in the office full time, research has shown that many employees are more productive when they have the flexibility to focus when and where they work best. Employers have  benefitted from reduced overhead costs, appreciate being able to tap into a wider geographic talent pool, and have reported improved employee retention. Many companies report that recruiting is easier when hybrid work is an option.

For employees, the main benefit of hybrid work is a better work-life balance, as they have flexibility to manage parenting, elder care, appointments, and reduced commutes. They also report increased focus and productivity, trading both the fun (socialization) and not-so-fun (politics) aspects of in-office work that can get in the way of getting things done. Another benefit is cost-savings, as employees reduce spending on commuting, work clothing, and meals. All this adds up to improved well-being.

Full-time work-from-home isn’t required to get these benefits either. Most employees appreciate some time in the office. The Pulse of the American Worker survey shows that “42% of current remote workers say if their current company does not continue to offer remote work options long term, they will look for a job at a company that does”. A recent report by Accenture found that 83% of people prefer a hybrid work model; specifically, one where they can work remotely at least 25% of the time.

Enhanced productivity

Hybrid work is a people-first approach. It’s about focusing on what gets done, not where or when it's done.

According to Gartner, “at typical organizations where employees work a standard 40 hours per week in the office, only 36% of employees were high performers. When organizations shift from this environment to one of radical flexibility where employees have choice over where, when, and how much they work, 55% of employees were high performers.”

Studies show that letting people choose how, when, and where they work can increase productivity. Imagine having fewer distractions at home, not having to waste time commuting, the freedom to work at your own pace, and the option to connect face-to-face when it really matters.

Another Health Benefit …

We’ve all been there. You have a cold, maybe a sore throat, not a fever, or something you consider “serious enough” to stay at home. You go to work because of deadlines and other important tasks while spreading whatever virus affects you to the whole office. What if you could punch in those hours at home? Fewer people in the workspace mean more social distancing and decreased contagion possibilities.

Health for the Planet

Hybrid work is also good for the planet. By reducing commutes and office heating and electricity, we can cut down on carbon emissions.

Building a hybrid work culture: where to start

There are various hybrid work models to adopt, from a flexible model that grants employees full autonomy to choose their work location and hours based on daily needs to a fixed model that involves predetermined in-office and remote workdays set by the organization. The office-first model prioritizes in-office work but allows for a few remote days, while remote-first model heavily emphasizes remote work with occasional in-person interactions for specific purposes.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, it all depends on the needs of your company.

When evaluating the best solution for hybrid work, you have to think about the needs of every employee in your organization.

Start by asking some questions, including:

• Do my employees have the right equipment to work from home?
• Can my employees expect the same collaboration experience whether they are in the office or at home?
• Do I have the right technology for allowing people to work from home with the same level of proficiency?
• Will employees feel included? Are there easy ways for them to engage and be seen and heard during meetings?

It's natural to worry about keeping everyone connected when people work from home. Without coffee breaks and spontaneous hallway conversations it can be difficult to share ideas and spark creativity. It takes some effort, but you can create a hybrid work culture that's just as vibrant and collaborative as a traditional office.

The key is to foster a culture of inclusion, empathy, and trust. Find ways to bring people together, whether they're in the office or at home. This means using technology to create virtual spaces where people can connect, share ideas, and build relationships.

Imagine a workplace where everyone is productive and feels valued, no matter where they're working. A place where you can collaborate seamlessly with your team, learn from your colleagues, and feel like you're part of something bigger. That's the power of a well-designed hybrid work culture. By blending the best of both worlds, we can create a future of work that's both productive and fulfilling for both the employees and the business.