Connecticut Business Centers

The pandemic has changed everything, including the workplace. Many companies, in fact, started shifting towards a model that combines in-office setup with remote work, allowing employees to have the flexibility to either commute to work or perform their tasks at home. Maintaining it, however, can be challenging for many businesses, especially in terms of building a fair and equitable environment. Nevertheless, this workplace model is growing in popularity and is most likely here to stay.

In this blog, trusted office space solutions provider Connecticut Business Centers shares everything you need to know about the hybrid workplace. We’ll also touch on how companies can make this setup work for their business.

The Hybrid Workplace and the Pandemic

Face-to-face interaction was among the many aspects of society that were severely hit during the early months of the pandemic. Physical distancing measures and indoor capacity limits were put in place to mitigate contagion, which meant everyone in the workforce had to stop going to work. This, in turn, triggered the need to devise ways for employees to perform remote work.

The number of U.S. employees working in either a hybrid or a completely remote setting began to rise significantly last year. In comparison, around one-third of Americans worked remotely. Of course, there was an initial fear among the business and corporate sectors on the sudden shift in the workplace structure. Thanks to the economy performing better than expected, both employers and employees began seeing the benefits of remote work.

The impact of such a workplace model was tremendous that many workers wanted to continue working remotely. Even after local restrictions and limitations have been lifted, many employers still provided them with the option to perform remote work. This only goes to show that the hybrid workplace won’t be going away anytime soon.

The Benefits of a Hybrid Workplace

A hybrid workplace combines the benefits of working from home with that of meeting co-workers in an office setting. Here’s how your business can greatly benefit from this model:

• Productivity

Many workers find it difficult to remain focused or stay productive while doing work surrounded by various distractions at home. Research, however, reveals that remote workers are more productive than their in-office counterparts.

• Job Satisfaction

The relationship between remote work and job satisfaction stems from the belief that a work-from-home setup allows employees more flexibility and more autonomy in how their tasks and goals are performed and achieved. This, in turn, allows them to meet the demands of their job concurrently with that of their personal or family life. With the help of a hybrid work setup, employees feel they are in control and can resolve any work-family conflicts.

• Mental Health

The hybrid work schedule has been beneficial for many employees today because it creates an essential space to find the right balance between work and personal life. The option to work remotely also helps minimize stress, establishing a more comfortable, personalized and quiet work environment.

• Diversity During the Hiring Process

Companies with remote and hybrid work environments can hire candidates beyond their geographic base of operations. They can choose to acquire talent statewide or nationally, allowing them to build a workforce that’s more diverse and dispersed. A diverse team, after all, helps businesses spark creativity and drive innovation.

• Talent Acquisition and Retention

Jobseekers, especially those who have experienced doing remote work during the early months of the pandemic, are more likely to choose companies that offer a hybrid work schedule. If you have this workplace model in place, you can easily attract and acquire new talent and even retain existing ones.

• Inclusivity

Employees in most work environments only ever interact with others from different departments or groups during meetings or when working on a project. A hybrid workspace, however, allows companies to promote inclusivity by creating cross-functional meetings. When more individuals meet and interact with each other, they are introduced to various opinions and ideas, which then bolsters camaraderie and ensures productivity.

How to Make this Work Setup Work

If you own a company and you want to explore the possibility of adjusting your current work structure to a hybrid one, you’ll be surprised to learn that introducing it isn’t as complicated as it seems. The great thing about this setup is that it can be customized to match the needs of your organization. Below are some of the steps you can take when creating your hybrid workplace:

• Conduct an Employee Survey

You’ll want to first determine the need for a remote, virtual or hybrid option before making a decision. Your company will be more prepared for it when there’s growing interest and demand for any of these. Find out if every employee has the appropriate settings to perform remote work. Some may not be qualified to do work from home, especially if they don’t have access to a stable internet connection or other essential resources. If your employees still choose to drive or commute to work, you’ll want to rent a meeting room or office space that will accommodate them and the job they’re doing.

• Choose Your Hybrid Workplace Setup

There’s a wide range of options as to what your hybrid model will look like, and it is up to you to find the right one that will benefit your employees. Consider how many of them will be working remotely and will be coming to work in the office. Take their roles, tasks and assignments into account. A staggered hybrid option might be a good fit in this situation. Here, one group will be working remotely on Mondays and Wednesdays, while another group is scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday. This way, you can avoid potential attendance issues such as overcrowding within the workplace.

• Establish Fair and Equal Opportunities

Hybrid employees are often disregarded in the workplace because of the simple fact that they don’t come to the office often. They’re as valuable as the others who come to work from Monday to Friday and deserve the same attention in all aspects of their employment. With this in mind, make sure you devise a plan on how to measure the productivity of both in-house and hybrid employees. Management should also find ways to communicate key pieces of information to everyone in a clear and consistent manner.

Planning to establish a hybrid workplace setup for your business? Turn to Connecticut Business Centers, the premier provider of all-inclusive workplace solutions for small businesses, large corporations and emerging entrepreneurs in the area. Whether you need an office space to get your business up and running or a conference room for your weekly meetings, our experienced team is here to provide professional support and all the amenities you need.

Your company will enjoy greater visibility and increased presence within Stamford and all of Connecticut. Give us a call today at (203) 359-5600 or fill out our contact form so we can discuss your needs.