During the pandemic, we all saw how working from home could make things easier. However, it also presented us with challenges, such as a blurred work-life balance, social isolation, and distractions. More and more businesses are implementing a hybrid work model, letting you cherry-pick the best of both worlds while sidestepping the drawbacks of each.
What is the Hybrid Work Model?
Put simply, a hybrid work model combines a mix of working remotely with going into the office. Businesses sometimes have a set hybrid schedule (e.g. work from home Monday to Wednesday and in the office Thursday and Friday). While others let staff choose where they’ll be most productive each day.
There are many benefits of working remotely, and there are also advantages of working in an office, so people who follow a hybrid model can enjoy both. In fact, data from Autumn 2024 showed that 28% of working adults in Great Britain were hybrid working.
What Are the Benefits of a Hybrid Work Model?
Save Money
For a small business, saving money where possible is important for financial stability and growth opportunities. Renting an office comes with hefty overhead costs, but hybrid working can reduce these. If less employees will be in the office each day, you can downgrade your office to a smaller one with fewer desks.
Some businesses make use of coworking spaces, allowing them to eliminate overhead costs, like maintenance and bills. This way, you rent a space for as long as you need it, and there is often a range of membership options. There are also numerous spaces to choose from, such as breakout areas, private offices, hot desks and meeting rooms.
As well as reducing overhead costs as a business, employees themselves can also save money. Fewer commutes mean spending less on petrol or public transport and eating at home means less expensive lunches from the local café.
Better Work-Life Balance
With a traditional work model, some people find themselves swept up in the world of work, making it difficult for them to separate their personal life from their job. A hybrid work model allows for a better work-life balance, which can improve employee wellbeing.
If someone has a hobby they want to spend time on in the evenings, they can work from home and cut commute times. If someone has a physical condition or a mental health issue, they may also find it beneficial to choose whether they’re going to work from home or go into the office, depending on how they’re feeling.
Flexibility in Location
Being at home every day can feel monotonous; commuting five days a week can be draining. A hybrid set-up lets staff switch between the two, giving them a fresh perspective whenever they need it. Additionally, if people don’t have a specific setup they need to use at home, on a remote working day, they can work elsewhere. This could include a library, the local coffee shop, or even a coworking space.
Opportunity for Collaboration
Hybrid working lets teams match the setting to the task. If a big project needs close coordination, booking extra office days prevents miscommunication and speeds up decisions. For a small business, clear communication is essential, which is why having the option to meet in person is useful. If several people in your company have individual calls with clients, you may decide to do them from home to prevent noise and clashes.
As well as collaboration, hybrid working allows for socialising. If you work from home all week, it can quickly start to feel lonely. A five-minute chat about weekend plans does more for morale than an email ever could.
Wider Talent Pool
Hybrid working enables businesses to recruit individuals who aren’t local, giving them a wider range of candidates to choose from. If an employee lives further away, some businesses allow them to work from home for the majority of the time and only come in once a week or less. You might end up with a mix of hybrid staff and colleagues who are fully remote, ideal for tapping the best people nationwide without asking them to relocate.
There’s no set way to create a hybrid work model for your business; you just have to implement one that works best. You need to consider factors like how your team best communicates and how you can create a productive environment. Involve the whole team, gather their views and then set out clear, fair ground rules so no one is left guessing.
Holly Dodd is a freelance writer and blogger – Visit her website here.