Features and advantages of a hybrid working model

A Global Workplace Analytics survey states that 80% of employees want to work from home at least part of their working week.

This is where the hybrid working model comes in, where part of the workforce can work remotely (at home or in any other location) and other employees are at the office. The main difference with regard to remote working is that in a hybrid working model, employees are expected to attend the corporate facilities at least some of the time. Each company makes the decision to establish how many days will be spent working in the office and whether this should be weekly, monthly or annual.

Flexibility and work-life balance

We are therefore looking at an option that allows employees to decide where they want to work, depending on their productivity and personal needs. Flexibility is one of its key characteristics.

According to a survey conducted by Prodoscore Internal Data, many employees consider that the hybrid working model offers a better balance between their professional and private life, by introducing a new element of freedom and control over their time.

Although the focus is often placed on the advantages that this model has for individuals, companies that implement hybrid working models also see these benefits. This is important because it fosters greater commitment from employees, who feel more satisfied as part of an organisation that provides them with this flexibility, but also improves the economic results of the company. This is thanks to aspects such as reduced absenteeism from work and decreased staff turnover, but also due to a reduction in costs of real estate and utilities.

In fact, according to a Gartner survey, 82% of executives said they plan to allow employees to work from home, at least part of the time. We have seen that the preferred option for many is the possibility of attending the office three days a week, while others prefer to work from home three days a week.

Features of hybrid working

According to an analysis by the Harvard Business Review, there are five characteristics that should define a company with a hybrid working model.

1. Flexible. The models and tools used for collaboration and communication must offer the same quality of experience to remote employees as to those in the office, as well as to those outside the organisation.
2. Inclusive. Everyone must feel seen and heard, regardless of the attendees' location.
3. Supportive. Some employees prefer to work from home while others prefer being in the office. In either case, tools and support must be provided to enable employees to work in the most effective and efficient way possible.
4. Secure. As the number of workplaces increases, the risks also increase. This greater need for security should not affect the employee's working experience, and it is essential that it also respects their privacy.
5. Managed. All users must have the infrastructure (equipment, connectivity, security) necessary to carry out their work, regardless of where they are doing it.

Advantages of the hybrid working model

Some of the advantages of hybrid working models include:

• Greater productivity. Allowing employees the opportunity to decide where to work at any given time supports their productivity, as they can choose to attend the office for meetings, or stay home to work without distractions.
• Cost reduction. If employees spend less time at the various offices, companies can reduce the space they need and the consumption of electricity or water.
• Collaboration. Employees do not have to be in the same physical space to meet and collaborate. Meetings are no longer location dependent, thanks to new technological innovations in the world of communication.
• Increased talent pool. Organisations that adopt a hybrid working model can hire employees from virtually anywhere in the world.