The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Hybrid Work Model
The hybrid work model has recently become extremely popular in organisations all over the world. And no wonder, modern companies which combine remote and office work seem to flourish and perform better at attracting diverse talent into the structure. Why is hybrid work desired so desperately by jobseekers? Are there any challenges you should address when introducing the hybrid work model in your office? Read our article to find out!
A few words about the hybrid work model
The hybrid work model refers to a flexible office organisation which combines working on-site in an office and working from home. To some extent, it is similar to the remote work model, in which employees work from any location outside the company. The only difference between these two extremely popular models is that in hybrid offices employees are expected to show up in the company’s facilities at least some of the time. The number of days team members have to work in the office is usually established by the employer. However, there are also offices in which being physically present at work is not mandatory at all.
The hybrid model has a significant impact not only on the organisation of the office’s work, but also on all company’s premises. For instance, the smaller number of employees present at work (and the reduced number of cars) enables smart parking management. This is possible thanks to the use of a car parking management system, which makes it easier for employers and managers to control who and when is present at work.
Advantages
Employee happiness
It is usually said that happy employees who have a positive attitude towards their work and company are more willing to efficiently perform their duties, solve problems, and work for the benefit of their organisation. One of the main reasons why employees are unhappy at work is because they feel tension and are not given enough autonomy to make their decisions independently. With the hybrid work model, employees can feel that they are able to make their own choices and work the way they like.
Increased employee retention
You may be surprised by how many jobseekers want to work in flexible companies with a modern work style. This concerns not only younger generations of employees, but also experienced specialists who have been active in the labour market for years. If you want to keep your retention rate high and attract new talents before others do, consider hybrid working as a must-have benefit – not an option.
Technological advancement
The implementation of the hybrid models is inseparably connected with technological advancement in your organisation. When employees work in a mixed environment, they need advanced tools enabling them to carry out their daily duties. These should include not only specialised software, but also intuitive communication tools and management software. Some specific tech tools such as a parking reservation app can also be used as a part of employee perks programs, which are now in high demand.
Sustainability
No doubt hybrid offices make organisations more sustainable as they reduce the amount of commuting and reducing congestion at car parks. When employees do not need to travel to the office on a daily basis, they generate significantly less exhaust fumes, which has a direct impact on air pollution.
Lower costs
Sustainability is inherently connected with lower operational costs of the hybrid offices. When employees work from home on a regular basis, they don’t need super spacious and richly equipped offices. Employers can therefore shift to smaller buildings or flats, and save on operational costs. The difference in bills can be significant, particularly in the winter season, when heating costs account for the largest share of all energy bills.
Health factors
Last but not least, the hybrid working model can protect your employees’ health. As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, the infectious diseases spread like a chain reaction, and the process may begin even before the first visible symptoms. Working from home in the influenza season can significantly decrease the possibility of catching an illness.
Easier parking space management with an online parking app
With hybrid work, employees do not have to show up in the office on a daily basis, which means your office (and of course, your company car park) is rarely full. This is beneficial primarily to medium- and large-size organisations that always complain about insufficient parking areas. To better control the traffic flow around your car park, you can opt for an advanced software that makes parking easier for your staff in many different ways. Parkalot is a mobile car park management system that provides your employees with a possibility to book their parking spaces in advance. This way, you can always control your car park occupancy for an entire day, manage it more efficiently and enhance your employees’ experience of working in the office.
Disadvantages
Depression
Working from home for most of us seems to be a time-saving alternative to normal office work. However, for some people, the vision of being locked alone in the house having tasks and duties to be performed with no physical interactions with colleagues is a nightmare. People are social animals and need face-to-face contact with other people in order to feel motivated. As a result, hybrid work can lead to mental health problems and even depression.
Identification
Every company has its own company culture, meaning a set of values, goals and practices that characterize an organisation and should be followed by employees. However, with remote working, we may observe that many team members no longer identify with the company. They don’t regard themselves as a part of a bigger community, but rather as individuals who bring their own value to the company. As a result, the company may suffer from broken culture syndrome.
Security concerns
Another important disadvantage for the hybrid work model is vulnerability to security risks. When employees work from outside the office, the control over what they do and how they behave on the net is constricted. If they are not careful enough, they can lose confidential data or become victim of cyber hijacking. Of course, specialised software and a set of measures to follow at home should help, but are you sure your employees will comply with them?
Organisational issues
The hybrid work model doesn’t mean your employees can simply sit comfortably at their desk at home and just work. You should remember that, like any other work model, clarification and a set of rules to follow are required. Firstly, you should establish what a flexible schedule means in your company and how often employees should work from the office. Then you should try to adjust your employees’ calendar accordingly, e.g., schedule important meetings when people work on-site.
The hybrid work environment can bring multiple benefits to your business. However, it can also pose some serious problems, if not introduced properly. Remember that hybrid work isn’t for all types of organisations, and not everyone is able to work happily from home. In order to provide your employees with the best hybrid work environment, try to better understand their behaviour, foresee their needs and provide them with modern systems that facilitate work organisation satisfaction.
One of such systems is Parkalot – the parking reservation app created for pro-employee companies that want to invest in their employees’ well-being by reducing stress in the car park. This smart parking management system is also highly beneficial from the employer’s perspective. By having an insight into reserved and occupied parking spaces, employers can easily control how many employees are in an office at a given day. This makes everyday office organisation much more efficient and effortless.
Start using Parkalot within an hour. Allow your colleagues to commute by car, and park in the parking spaces assigned to those who are working from home.