The benefits of hybrid working

The novelty of wearing pyjama bottoms on zoom calls seemed to fade as the COVID pandemic came to an end, but the thought of returning to the rush of daily commutes was unfathomable. Hybrid working, then, was the answer. What other advantages does the hybrid working model bring, other than a decrease in Sunday Scaries?

What really is hybrid working? View our first blog instalment here.

1. Productivity ✅

At first glance, the ability to stay at home for a good part of the working week may suggest a more relaxed, and possibly less productive output - but the data says otherwise.

In a study by Microsoft about the impact of the pandemic on the performance of companies across Europe, 82 percent of leaders said their companies were either as productive, or more productive than before the pandemic.

With flexible hybrid models, where employees can choose when to go into the office or when to stay at home, staff are empowered to choose what’s right for them -  simply, when and where they will be most productive.

The research of Harvard Business School professor and remote work expert Prithwiraj Choudhury found that employees who worked from home 75 percent of the time were the most productive.

He told Insider : “Hybrid, if it’s well-organised, it’s a win-win.”

2. Employee wellbeing 🧘🏽‍♀️

If you take out a daily commute, add an extra hour of sleep and the ability to spend time with loved ones, it’s unsurprising that a hybrid-work model can improve employee wellbeing. These things combined can help avoid serious burnout, and reduce the risk of quiet quitting.

A flexible hybrid-working model that allows employees to stay at home on days where they feel their mental health will benefit from doing so is an undeniable advantage, and a recognition that employee wellbeing is now at the forefront of company culture.

In a 2020 study by SurveyMonkey, those who worked remotely reported feeling happier than those employees who remained in the office.

There are, of course, other concerns for employee wellbeing which come with the hybrid working model, which we will discuss in our 'challenges of the hybrid working model' section.

3. Smaller company overheads 💲

A hybrid working model makes a dramatic difference to a company’s overheads.

When you don’t need to supply desk spaces for every single employee, along with supplying less business supplies and other expenses which come with running an office, a company will pay less rent, and will generally spend less.

Companies who offer hybrid working may save money on salaries too. The research of Stanford economist Nick Bloom, which surveyed over 5,000 US adults and 1,000 firms, found that US workers view a hybrid working model similar to a 5% pay rise.

4. Attracting and retaining talent 🥇

The flexibility that comes with hybrid working models undoubtedly helps to attract and retain talent. Instead of limiting your talent pool to a specific, commutable location, hybrid working allows talented candidates from further afield to be considered.

As well as the ability to attract more talent, the fluidity of hybrid working also increases the ability to retain it. Life happens - people relocate and have children, but with hybrid working models this no longer equals a new job search.

5. An improved work-life balance 🧑🏻‍💻🍹

71% of respondents to a survey by Gallup mentioned an improved work-life balance as a key benefit to hybrid working. Need to pick up a prescription at lunch, or be there for when your children come home? With a hybrid work model, life admin becomes less of a problem.

With no commute, employees have more time for their own activities, whether that’s squeezing in a gym session in the morning or being able to dedicate time to that three hour Ottolenghi recipe you’ve been eyeing up.

Ultimately, hybrid working models give power back to the employees. The flexibility it offers keeps the employee’s needs beyond the 9-5 in mind, contributing to positive and efficient company culture.