2022 is here, and it has brought a few changes in the workplace. Many businesses have had to survive on remote working for the past two years since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Can you believe it’s been that long? 

But as the situation gets better and more employers can’t wait to have face-to-face meetings with employees, there’s a new form of work model; hybrid work. 

Here’s the thing; according to research, the majority of employees want to continue working flexibly after Covid-19. There is no better work model to provide flexibility than remote working. But, as stated earlier, most employers want to get back to the traditional work model where they can see employees every day through their cubicles. 

That’s where a hybrid work model comes in. It is a blend of the traditional and remote models. It allows you to have employees on-site for specific days of the week, and they can work remotely for the remainder of the period. So it’s a win-win situation for both parties. 

This shift in the workplace is becoming a great determinant on some employees coming back to work or taking up some employment opportunities. 

However, the question is how to prepare your team for a hybrid work model. 

Benefits of a hybrid work model 

Among the top concerns to address before implementing a hybrid work model in your startup is its benefits to your business. These include:

• Flexibility – employees will have more flexibility and control over their work, which increases their productivity. 
• Less exposure – the pandemic is still ravaging the world. While the situation is not as bad as two years ago, new variants keep cropping up. A hybrid work model helps in reducing employees’ exposure to illnesses, hence fewer sick days. 
• It makes it easier for you to hire remotely for your business
• Reducing expenses, like employees and office overheads 
• Work-life balance – compared to the traditional work model, a hybrid model allows employees to choose when to work on-site. It makes it easier to balance their personal life needs better, increasing productivity. 
• Employee retainment – increased work-life balance means your employees will have more job satisfaction, leading to more retainment. 

Cons of a hybrid work model

That’s not to say that this model is all roses. In fact, when not implemented correctly, it can wreak havoc in your organization. 

• No or little team building activities – team building was common in traditional models and helped bring employees closer. However, a hybrid model makes it more challenging to organize such activities, especially when you have a better part of your employees working remotely. 
• No equity – on-site work model provides in-person connection than a remote model. Therefore, when on-site employees engage in some activities while those working remotely are not, the latter part of the group will feel left out. 

What to consider when implementing a hybrid work model

To ensure that you implement the hybrid model successfully and experience fewer halts, here are some issues to consider:

1. What does a hybrid model look like for your business

Forget about what other companies are implementing and think about your business and employees’ needs. 

• How much time would you like them to be on-site? 
• When should employees be on-site?
• When is an employee more productive, on-site or working remotely? 

Answering these questions ensures that you take a personalized approach to implement the hybrid model. That way, you can assign employees to come on-site when it is beneficial for them and the business, like necessary meetings that can’t be held virtually. 

It can also help ensure you organize on-site days in such a manner that employees stay safe. For instance, not planning on everyone being on-site simultaneously reduces exposure to the virus.

2. Is your workplace ready? 

Second, is your office set up ready to start accommodation employees on-site? Think about multiple spaces for meetings and comfortable spaces with less exposure. The goal is to make your employees as comfortable as possible, so they don’t dread coming to the office. 

3. Management 

Consider the management of a hybrid team. Remote working has been successful so far. But, trying out a new model requires proper planning, especially now that you have more time to plan than in 2020. 

Think about the reporting structure, employee onboarding, reporting hours for both on and off-site, and fixing tech errors.   

As it stands, the hybrid work model is the future of workplaces. Will your startup be left out and risk missing out on the several benefits it offers? While it is worth investing in, it is best that you consider what your employees and business need. That way, you will implement a hybrid model that enhances your business’s efficiency, productivity, and performance.