The thought of the Hybrid Working Model (HWM) has always been an enticing offer for many, especially during the covid pandemic. Some job roles already require this kind of work model and others wish it would be put into place in their own jobs, but what exactly does it mean?
The Hybrid Remote Work Model is, in short, the combination of working remotely and from an office. The pandemic has seen a lot of people forced to work from home, creating makeshift offices from the comfort of their own household. This type of isolated office work has been happening for a number of months with both employers and employees having to suddenly manage to adapt to this new working life. Some companies have even seen an improvement in productivity and employee wellness. With work output stable and employees happier, why rush to get everyone back into the office?
There are positives and negatives to working in the office and working from home that would affect people differently. Pre-pandemic, the 9-5 may have been a routine that got them out of the house and into a safe space where they can be social and interact with others, do their work, clock out and look forward to the weekend. Others may have seen this Groundhog Day-esque work style as a negative, only to be relieved and moods uplifted when they get home. On the other hand, just the idea of remotely working is desirable to those who loathe the office as an employee wouldn’t have to worry about traffic, can spend more time with their families and are able to work in the most familiar environment they know of. Though there are some downsides to this. A person’s mental health could be damaged with many people spending a lot of their time alone and isolated from friends and colleagues. Just being around others can have a comforting effect on an individual’s mental wellbeing.
Companies who already use the Hybrid Working Model would not see as much of a change but remain stable. There are multiple ways to implicate this type of work and maintain a positive work rate. Employers can organise and split the workload between those who prefer working from home and those working in the office or they could work shift patterns. This is known as the hybrid workforce model where some employees work at home, while others work at the office. Weekly or bi-weekly swapping of office and remote work would benefit everyone as it would become the in-between of a routine they were used to and the newly enforced house-based work life they may or may not prefer depending on the individual.
It is ultimately down to companies themselves to figure out what is best for them and their workforce. With no solid end to the Covid pandemic in sight and social distancing measures still in place, the traditional office workplace may be replaced and succeeded by the Hybrid Working Model in the near future.
