How can your business accommodate the hybrid working revolution?

Known as the “flex capital” of the world, the city of London has been adopting this way of working for years, with shared workspaces such as WeWork bringing big revolutions in common work practice. 

This culture was put to a halt, however, following the coronavirus outbreak which saw thousands of people remote working from their homes. This taste of flexibility has caused a significant shift in the way that we work post-pandemic, with many companies moving towards a ‘hybrid’ approach to work. But what exactly is hybrid working, and what can a hybrid work model look like for businesses across the UK?

What is hybrid working?

Hybrid working is a new type of flexible working, which has now been implemented by 76% of companies across the globe. Employees can split their time between a designated workplace, as well as a remote working location, such as their home. There are a wide variety of hybrid working strategies which businesses are using, such as:

• Office first: Most work is done in an office, however, employees can work remotely occasionally. 
• Remote first: Most work is done remotely, however, employees can work in an office occasionally. 
• 3-2: A 3/2 day split between both office and remote locations.

What are the benefits of hybrid working?

There are many benefits of adopting a hybrid working strategy, for both individuals and their organisations.

Individuals

• Improved employee well-being
• Increased mobility
• Fewer expenses on travel costs

Organisations

• Improved employee retention
• Wider talent pool
• Improved productivity

Making Hybrid Working A Success

As mentioned above, hybrid working can look very different for each company and their employees. However, there are a variety of factors that should be considered to make the strategy a success. 

Have Discussions

Before implementing a hybrid work culture, it is important to have discussions with your staff about their needs and wants. Managers should be having regular conversations with employees, both in-person and remotely, to help ensure they are happy with any changes to the working routine. It is vital to be proactive and to help each employee feel as connected as possible to the company’s values and purpose. 

Keep The Culture

A key part of any company is its culture, and whether you’re working from home or remotely, it is important to keep it alive and thriving. When implementing a hybrid working strategy, some employees may struggle to adjust. Keep regular meetings in place, both in-person and remotely, and arrange social events to keep the team connected and familiar. 

Offices Of The Future

There will always be many benefits to having people come into the office from time to time. In-person experiences can help establish key work (and social) relationships and can inspire unplanned collaborations or brainstorming sessions. If implementing hybrid working, give employees the opportunity to meet and collaborate in a central space which can be easily accessed by the majority. There are a number of co-working spaces that organisations can become members of, allowing employees to access a workspace when needed. This means that you won't be paying for an office that is rarely in use. 

If you’re planning on moving to a hybrid work approach, you may decide to move offices. If you require business removals or storage, Bishop’s Move can provide a dedicated service to help. Get a quote from your local branch today.