Since the turn of the millennium, the way we work is now unrecognizable. Whereas in the past, working from home was a rare privilege assigned to those who owned their own businesses or were taking the odd sick day. But now it has become standard practice. The pandemic also made huge waves in the business landscape. Millions of people from all over the world were unable to go into work, instead sending emails from their laptops and conducting meetings from the comfort of their own sofas.
As a result, businesses and employees began to recognise the huge benefits of remote work. It allows workers to have greater control over their own lives and be more productive at the same time. This translates into huge business benefits for employers and organizations too.
It’s clear that old ways of working are now archaic and problematic. Of course, if your business is a warehouse, a restaurant or anything else involving manual work it’s impossible to go remote. But for office workers who conduct the majority of their work on computers, it is a no-brainer. It may not be practical for you to go completely remote, as you will of course need to have the odd face-to-face meeting or client presentation. Which is why a hybrid structure is the perfect system.
Hybrid working enables employees to divide their time between the office and their homes. They will still generally follow a five-day work week, but they can pick and choose when they come into the office, giving them more freedom in their professional lives.
So why should you adopt this in your business? Here is a list of the benefits that might convince you that hybrid working is the future.
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Technology makes it easy
The only reason remote working wasn’t so popular several decades ago was that we didn’t have the technology in place to make it practical. It was hard for workers in different locations and time zones to communicate and collaborate on projects effectively. But nowadays there are so many great tools that make it not only possible, but incredibly easy. Video collaboration technology has come a long way, making virtual meetings seamless and productive. While additional tools allow for features such as screen-sharing, instant messaging and online whiteboards for brainstorming. If you need to discuss a promotion with your boss or train a new member of staff on how to use your service scheduling software, this can all be done from the comfort of your own home.
Staff will be happier and more productive
No matter how important your business may be to you, for the majority of your employees it is just a job. They have rich and varied personal lives full of family, friends and hobbies. And the great thing about hybrid working is that it allows them to schedule their work around their lives, not the other way round. This can lead to a huge reduction in stress levels as they have more time to fulfill their personal errands and relax with their loved ones. They will be happier and more satisfied with their work, and as a result of their improved mental health, they will be more productive.
Hybrid working also ensures each member of the team can work in the way that is best for them. Everyone is different. Some people like to work in a busy environment where they can share ideas with other people and be inspired by their work colleagues. These individuals may wish to spend more time in the office. However, other employees will prefer a more quiet workspace in which they can focus on the task at hand. They will inevitably wish to work from home the majority of the time. And the great thing is that both of these groups will be just as productive, as they are working according to their own individual needs and preferences. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to working. You need to give employees the freedom to do as they see fit.
Improved job satisfaction
One of the biggest challenges a business owner has to face is retaining talented employees. Your most skilled staff provide huge value to your company, but what is stopping them from jumping ship and taking another job that pays better and offers more career progression? You need to ensure that your staff are looked after and satisfied with their work. Hybrid working will give an excellent work-life balance that many companies are still reluctant to adopt. They will appreciate their career more as a result and be less likely to look for other job opportunities.
Reduced overhead costs
It costs money to heat an office and provide enough energy for your employees to do their job. But when they spend most of their time working from home, your overheads will decrease dramatically. You won’t need as much heating, electricity, or running water on a daily basis. You won’t need to spend as much money on refreshments such as tea, coffee and snacks, and there will be less expenses when it comes to employee travel. You will save a great deal of money that can be put to better use in other areas of your business. Not to mention the added environmental benefits.
Forward-thinking companies use hybrid working
Hybrid working does have its retractors, and there are some business owners who have been clamoring for their employees to get back into the office since the pandemic. But the most forward-thinking, modern, and innovative companies accept that it is indeed the future. Going back to the old-school office format will be a regression that will impact the productivity and creativity of many businesses. By adopting hybrid working, you can rise above your competition and position yourself as an inspirational industry thought leader.
Hopefully these reasons have convinced you that hybrid working has many benefits for both employees and employers. When adopting this system, it may take some time to get it right and iron out the creases but in time you will realize how beneficial it can be for productivity and employee wellbeing.
