The office concept has dramatically changed after the coronavirus outbreak.
Pandemic restrictions have revealed the benefits of remote working for companies all over the world.
As a result, several organizations have shifted to more flexible work arrangements and intent to continue offering remote and hybrid work policies in the future.
No matter how the coronavirus crisis ends, one thing is certain: the office life will never be the same again. Rather than impersonal cubicles, offices will become flexible spaces designed to boost creativity and increase collaboration.
The term “hybrid” has gained popularity in the current business environment. Some people believe that the future workplace will embrace a hybrid reality.
Thus, many business owners are seeking answers to the following questions: “What is a hybrid office?”, “How can a company use a hybrid office to increase productivity?”, “What is the difference between remote and hybrid working?”.
This article will answer all of these questions so that entrepreneurs and business owners can decide whether a hybrid working model fits their companies best.
Hybrid Offices & Work Model – 2 Definitions
- An office that supports both virtual and face-to-face interaction
After the Covid-19 hit, several business owners understood that most traditional office spaces are redundant. Since many business operations can be performed remotely, having physical office space means wasting money on high overhead and time on commuting.Nevertheless, face-to-face interaction still plays a significant role in business. Sometimes, in-person meetings with prospects, customers, and suppliers are more efficient and productive.
Therefore, a hybrid office is a modern office that allows businesses to operate remotely while still accessing physical office space whenever they need it. For example, a hybrid virtual office provides businesses with all the necessary tools to run remotely. Still, it also provides them with professional rooms and boardrooms for in-person business meetings.
- An office where employees have hybrid work policies
A hybrid office can also indicate an office where employees have different work policies. In other words, a hybrid office is an office that has found the perfect balance between individual work and group projects.Having different work policies can indicate two categories of teams:
- Teams that blend working from different locations (e.g., they work in the office twice a week and spend three days a week working from home).
- Teams where some members work fully remotely while others work on-premises.
Hybrid Offices – Top 5 Advantages
Unlike brick-and-mortar offices that require high overhead costs, hybrid offices bring several advantages to business owners and employees:
- Lower overhead
Businesses have fewer expenses if they use office space on-demand or have fewer people in the office. Thus, hybrid offices allow companies to cut unnecessary overhead costs (e.g., rent, utilities, insurance, etc.). - Increased productivity
Remote work allows employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. As a result, their productivity increases. Even in those cases where employees are required to commute to the workplace a few days a week, they still have more time to deal with personal responsibilities (meaning that they will be happier and more efficient). - Fewer health exposure risks
Even if the pandemic ends, coming to work sick may become socially unacceptable. However, the pandemic is far from over. Having fewer people in the office reduces the risks of getting a cold, flu, or even Covid-19 (meaning fewer sick days). - Access to the global talent pool
Remote working policies allow business owners to hire the finest talents in the world. Having access to the global talent pool means paying fewer employee costs as the average income varies by country (meaning they can hire workers from countries with low wages and labor costs). - Saving time
Enabling working from home (fully or partially) in a hybrid working model allows employees to save time and work whenever suits them best. Even business owners can save time on commuting, which helps them invest more time in their businesses.
Conclusion: Hybrid working is a new reality. Most companies will never revert to the pre-Covid work arrangements.
Hybrid offices offer several benefits to businesses. Implementing them in the modern digital era is a quick and easy process.
Businesses that provide the best hybrid environment are likely to emerge as 2021’s biggest winners.
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