With restrictions gone, it is now time for businesses to address the monumental shift in working habits that has occurred over the last 18 months. Working from home has become the new norm, and for many, adaption is essential for business continuity.
A study by Boston Consulting Group has revealed that 67% of those working remotely since COVID-19 want to be able to split their time between the physical workplace and home working. As such, incorporating a new workplace strategy that features remote working is essential for maintaining staff satisfaction.
What is Hybrid Working?
Hybrid working has become the most popular workplace strategy adapted since the pandemic. Hybrid working involves teams working part of the week from the office and part of the week remotely. Hybrid working gives staff the best of both worlds by employees greater flexibility and autonomy to work where they like for a portion of the working week.
Hybrid working gives employees flexibility
A main benefit of hybrid working is it puts the freedom of choice into employees’ hands, allowing them the freedom to decide how they want to work. Research undertaken by workspace highlights how different age gaps have different views of the office. 77% of workers aged between 18-34 in London are looking forward to returning to the office, compared to half of staff aged 35 and over. To the younger generation, the office offers face-to-face collaboration and connections which are essential in the formative years of careers.
Flexibility is essential for staff recruitment & retention
Workers emerging from the pandemic have a much sharper view on what they want their work and home routines to look like. Figures from the UK’s leading job site Totaljobs suggest that more than ¾ of Britons are actively searching. With large companies setting out their hybrid working strategies, employees are actively looking for jobs which adopt a more flexible approach and embrace more modern practices.
As more businesses return to the office and require their staff to the workplace, many feel as though they’ve lost their autonomy. Businesses should therefore take a closer look at individual and team output to assess how employees are feeling about returning to the office. Taking a considered, customised approach to individuals’ needs will help create a hybrid model that people are comfortable with.