In recent years, the world of work has changed drastically, and at the latest since the first lockdown, everyone is familiar with the home office. In the course of this, "hybrid work" has become a much-discussed topic. But even before 2020, the trend toward flexible workplaces was clearly emerging, especially in terms of workplace choice. This was the conclusion of a study conducted by Prof. Dr. Heike Bruch's team at the University of St. Gallen. They surveyed 93,000 employees from 500 different companies in the DACH region in the period from 2016 to 2022. Thus, 56% of the respondents were already temporarily in a home office1 in 2021.
Hybrid work refers to the combination of remote work and traditional office work, whereby companies offer their employees the flexibility to choose their working hours and location. In this blog post, we take a closer look at the concept of hybrid work and the benefits it brings to both employers and employees.
What is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid Work refers to a work structure where employees have the option to work both in the office and from home. This flexibility is often enabled through the use of technology such as video conferencing, project management tools and cloud storage. Hybrid work allows employees to better customize their work schedule and location to achieve a work-life balance.
What is New Work?
New Work is a concept that deals with new forms and structures of work in the modern working world. It involves a change in traditional work models and aims to enable more flexibility, autonomy and meaningfulness in work.
The relationship between New Work and Hybrid Work is that Hybrid Work is considered one of the forms of work that can be implemented as part of the New Work approach. New Work promotes individual work arrangements and enables employees to choose their workplace and working hours more flexibly. Hybrid Work as part of New Work accordingly refers to the place of work and enables employees to do their work both in the office and from another location.
The idea behind the combination of New Work and Hybrid Work is to give employees the opportunity to adapt their daily work routine to their individual needs.
It is important to note that Hybrid Work is not the only form of New Work, but only one aspect of it. New Work also includes other concepts such as agile working methods, self-organized teams, flat hierarchies and a stronger focus on people in the world of work.
Overall, Hybrid Work in the context of New Work is a response to the changing demands and desires of employees and companies and paves the way for a more flexible and meaningful world of work.
The advantages for employers
1. greater talent pool accessibility
Hybrid Work opens up the possibility for companies to hire employees regardless of their geographical location. This significantly expands the talent pool and allows employers to access skilled professionals they might not otherwise have reached.
2. cost savings
By implementing Hybrid Work, companies can save significant costs on office space and infrastructure. Less office space means lower rental costs, and a decentralized work environment can also lead to lower energy and operating costs. Of course, this is also purposeful for the economic sustainability of the company.
3. increased satisfaction and productivity
Hybrid Work enables employees to organize their work more flexibly and better meet personal needs. This often leads to higher employee satisfaction and productivity, as they are able to organize their work better and spend less time commuting.
The advantages for employees
1. flexibility and work-life balance: Hybrid Work enables employees to organize their working hours more flexibly, which makes it easier for them to fulfill personal commitments. The ability to work from home can lead to a better work-life balance and reduce stress.
2. Less commute time: One of the most obvious benefits of Hybrid Work is the reduction in commute time. Spending less time in traffic means more time for other activities, be it family, hobbies or personal development.
3. increased autonomy: Hybrid Work often requires more personal responsibility and self-organization from employees. This can lead to increased autonomy, as employees are able to shape their own workday and way of working.
Hybrid Work Models
There are several hybrid work models that companies can adopt to allow for a combination of office presence and remote work. Here are some of the most common hybrid work models:
1. rotation model
In this model, employees are divided into groups that alternate between working in the office and remotely. For example, Group A and Group B might be in the office on a weekly rotation, while the other group works from the home office. This model allows employees to be in the office on a regular basis and encourages collaboration and personal interaction, while maintaining flexibility and remote working.
2. day based model
In this model, employees work in the office on certain days of the week and from home on the remaining days. For example, all employees could be in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and work remotely on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This model allows for better planning and predictability and makes it easier to coordinate team activities.
3. project or task based model
In this model, employees work in the office or remotely depending on the needs of a particular project or task. For example, if there is a team project, all team members could work together in the office for the duration of the project. Once the project is complete, they can switch back to remote mode. This model provides flexibility and allows employees to focus on specific projects and optimize collaboration.
4. flexible time model
In this model, employees have greater freedom to choose their working hours and locations. They can determine their working hours and location based on their individual needs and commitments. This model requires clear communication and coordination within the team to ensure that all members are on the same page and that collaboration remains effective.
These models are examples of the variety of possibilities in Hybrid Work. Companies can also develop a combination of these models or customized models that meet their specific needs and the nature of the work. It is important that the models chosen take into account the individual needs of employees while enabling effective collaboration and communication within the team. To help you choose the right model for your business, check out our guide to hybrid work models.
Measures for successful implementation
Implementing Hybrid Work does not come without challenges. Communication and collaboration between remote and office-based employees requires an effective digital infrastructure and clear communication policies. It's important to maintain a sense of connection and teamwork, as some employees may not have regular face-to-face contact.
Some best practices for successful hybrid work include regular virtual meetings, clear communication about expectations and workflows, fostering a culture of trust and collaboration, and using tools and technology to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.
Develop a modern office concept
A decisive factor for the success of hybrid working lies in the design of modern office concepts. Companies face the challenge of creating a working environment that not only meets the requirements of face-to-face work, but also satisfies the needs and demands of remote employees.
Modern office designs play a significant role in maximizing employee efficiency, collaboration and well-being in a Hybrid Work environment. Flexible workplace designs, ergonomic furniture, technological integration and collaborative spaces are just some of the key elements of modern office environments.
In our article on the four most popular office concepts, we take a closer look at innovative design options for a modern office that can meet the needs of the Hybrid Work era and significantly shape the future of work.
The choice of a suitable office concept is crucial for promoting synergy between presence and remote work and creating an inclusive corporate culture. By investing in modern office concepts, companies can make the most of the benefits of Hybrid Work and support their employees in the best possible way, regardless of where they work. Designing a contemporary workplace is an important step on the way to a successful and future-oriented work structure. Especially the return of employees after longer home office periods requires planning and an office concept that is adaptable.
Create clear communication channels
Smooth communication is key to successful hybrid working. Make sure you and your team establish clear communication channels that are accessible to all and well documented. Use tools such as instant messaging platforms, video conferencing systems and project management tools to ensure effective and transparent communication. Also clarify which communication channels are appropriate for which type of information to avoid misunderstandings.
Define clear expectations and goals
To be successful in the hybrid work environment, it is important to set clear expectations and goals. Both employees and employers should jointly define what tasks need to be completed, what deadlines need to be met, and what results are expected. This creates a clear guideline for work and increases productivity.
Flexibility and time management
Hybrid working offers the possibility of flexible working. Use this flexibility to adjust your working hours to your personal needs. However, it is important that you still practice effective time management.
Set clear priorities, plan your work in advance and create a good balance between work and leisure time. Avoid distractions and create a workplace that is free of disruptions for you and your employees. Find out how this flexibility can best be combined with time tracking and what legal requirements you need to pay attention to in our article on modern work organization with time tracking.
Invest in technology and infrastructure
To work smoothly and efficiently in the hybrid work model, a reliable, technological infrastructure is essential. Make sure you have the right equipment and software to work easily from any location. Regularly test your Internet connection, video conferencing systems, and other tools to make sure they're working properly.
The basic digital equipment includes:
Cloud storage tools
Cloud storage allows you to store files and documents online and access them from any location. Popular cloud storage services include Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive. These services provide a secure and scalable way to store, share and collaborate on files. Be sure to consider your security needs when choosing the appropriate tool.
Project Management Tools
Project management tools allow teams and projects to organize efficiently, assign tasks, track progress, and thus facilitate collaboration. Well-known project management tools include Trello, ClickUp, Asana and Monday, which offer visual boards, schedules and task lists. There are also tools that are customized for a specific industry: Jira, for example, is a powerful alternative particularly suited to software development teams. It offers extensive features for tracking bugs, change requests, and agile projects.
Video conferencing tools
Video conferencing tools are essential for virtual communication and collaboration in the hybrid work model. Platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet enable virtual meetings with video, audio and screen sharing.
Workplace booking tool
A workplace booking tool helps employees to reserve office workstations or meeting rooms in advance to ensure efficient use of the physical workplace. Such tools are particularly useful in a hybrid work environment to manage office traffic. anny is the All-in-One platform for flexible workstations, meeting rooms, parking spaces, etc. and fits perfectly into your technological infrastructure thanks to integrations with MS Teams, Outlook, and more.
Make cybersecurity a priority
Hybrid Work brings new challenges in the area of security and data protection. Companies need to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect sensitive data, especially when employees work remotely. Ensure that clear security policies and training are in place for all employees, both in the office and remotely. This training should cover phishing email identification, secure password handling, and other security-related topics.
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to access corporate resources and applications. This ensures that even if a password is compromised, an additional security factor makes access difficult. Also ensure that all connections to corporate networks and resources are encrypted. This can be ensured by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure traffic between remote workers and internal resources. You should also make sure your employees' endpoints meet your security standards. This includes using anti-virus software, firewall protection and enabling device encryption. Of course, these measures are only fully functional if devices and software are kept up to date.
Care social cohesion
Social cohesion in the team is also very important in the hybrid work environment. Organize regular hybrid or virtual team meetings where people talk not only about work, but also about personal issues. Create opportunities for informal exchanges and team-building activities to strengthen the sense of togetherness.
Find out how the BABOR BEAUTY GROUP, with over 200 employees, is implementing a modern office concept with workstation booking in this interview with strategic project manager Lucia Winands.
Is Hybrid Work changing the world of work?
Hybrid Work has the potential to fundamentally change the world of work and bring numerous benefits to both employers and employees. The flexibility and opportunities for better work-life balance can lead to increased satisfaction and productivity, while companies can benefit from a larger talent pool and cost savings. It's important to acknowledge the challenges and implement best practices to get the most out of Hybrid Work. In an increasingly digitized world, Hybrid Work will undoubtedly play a key role in the future of the workplace. If you want to learn how to establish Hybrid Work in your organization then be sure to check out our Step-by-Step Hybrid Work Guide.
1Source:Spread of hybrid working: Development and Perspectives | Human Resources | Haufe
