With the Covid19 pandemic reshaping our lives in so many ways, one of the most affected areas has certainly been how we work. Specifically, where do we work from; home, office, coffee shop? Some may argue that the pandemic has forced us to confront the shortcomings of our pre-pandemic work habits and finally make some long overdue changes. But are these changes here to stay?
There’s no doubt that since 2020 there has been a dramatic shift in where and how we work, and it has provided an enormous advantage for those of us who want to eliminate our daily commutes to the office. According to a recent report from FlexJobs, there is a significant number of people who want a combination of both home and office; only 3% would like to return to the office full-time. Today, nearly one in four people work from home at least some time.
But as we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the pandemic, there’s a question of whether or not we’ll continue to work from home or if we’ll go back to our old ways. So far, the consensus is firmly against going back.
The Hybrid Office Model
The hybrid model has already taken root in many organizations, and there’s no turning back for these companies. With the pandemic accelerating the shift to remote work, more companies are seeing the benefits of this employee-first approach to managing the workforce. After all, when employees are happy and engaged, they’re more productive. And when productivity goes up, so does job satisfaction. Not to mention, hybrid work addresses many of the challenges associated with remote work, such as loneliness and human interaction.
Furthermore, the hybrid office model caters to the needs of employees who may not want to work remotely full-time but would appreciate the option to do so on occasion. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
What is Hybrid Work?
So what exactly is hybrid work? In short, it’s a mix of remote and in-office work. But it’s so much more than that. With hybrid work, employees have greater flexibility and can choose to work from home or anywhere they can be productive. The workplace is no longer confined to a single location—it’s an ecosystem of team members working from different places (home, co-working spaces, offices) depending on the type of work they need to do.
This model has already been adopted by some of the world’s leading companies, such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter. And it’s easy to see why. Hybrid work fosters a more collaborative and effective workforce. It also helps to attract and retain top talent, as employees are given the freedom to work from whatever location they feel most comfortable and productive.
The Benefits of Hybrid Work
Hybrid work helps businesses save money on their budgets, such as in office space and related costs. With more employees working remotely, you won’t need as much space—which means you can save money on rent, utilities, furniture, and other related costs.
In today’s competitive job market, candidates are looking for companies that offer flexible work arrangements. By providing a hybrid model, you’ll attract quality workers who are more likely to stay for the long run than might otherwise have gone to a competitor. Research has shown that happy employees lead to higher productivity levels and increased employee satisfaction.
At the current rate, there’s no doubt that hybrid work is here to stay. This approach to putting the employee first offers numerous benefits for those companies that are fortunate enough to offer it: increased productivity levels, attraction and retention, and cost savings on office space and related expenses.
Are you looking to downsize your current office space and would like to implement a hybrid-work model for your company? Learn more about how Onboard Coworking can provide you with the perfect solution of flexible shared workspaces. Contact us today to schedule a tour!
