Hybrid working in the new world Since the start of the pandemic, we have all had to adapt to new ways of working. With each lockdown and every new rule, things have changed in one way or another for everyone. One thing that looks likely to continue and become part of the new ‘normal’ is what has become known as Hybrid working. Many employees feel that they have benefitted from hybrid working over the last 18 months and would like to continue with the balance they have found, with their working time split between an office and their home. This blended working arrangement will come in many different styles, reflecting the needs of each individual and business, but the principle of hybrid working looks like it’s here to stay. What is Hybrid working? Hybrid working is a type of flexible working but is different from the established form often found in business, because it really applies to teams and departments, where flexible working policies conventionally refer to individuals. As it is likely that there will be a high demand for hybrid working going forwards, many employers are now considering what it will mean for them and their staff. As an employer, what your company does and how your employees need to work, as well as your existing company culture will need to be carefully considered. Some departments, roles and functions will be more readily able to adapt to hybrid working in the long-term, but many employees are beginning to expect balanced working from employers wherever it is possible. Things to consider The offer of hybrid working will be a desirable asset to many organisations. Those who recognise the benefits of a balanced work and home life will be more attractive to potential candidates, and more able to secure high calibre applicants. On the flip side, if hybrid working is not a normal practice, employers risk their staff becoming disengaged and unhappy in their roles, and ultimately increased levels of staff turnover. That is not to say that hybrid working won’t involve careful consideration and planning to achieve the best results for both individuals and business. Some investment may be needed to adapt workspaces to make the most of employees’ time in the office, but in the long-term, hybrid working does offer cost benefits, as overheads will be reduced, from facilities to potential rental and real estate savings. The short and long-term hybrid working pictures may vary, as employers find the right balance of office and home time for optimum productivity and wellbeing, and the longer-term investments can be made once saving opportunities are realised. The benefits of hybrid working One of the most positive stories of the last year has been the way in which hybrid working has improved many people’s experience of their jobs. Full-time office and full-time home-working both have their disadvantages and restrictions, but a balance between the two strikes the ‘goldilocks’ just-right, with each environment offering a different benefit to businesses and employees alike. Crucially, the mix of working environments, allowing staff to come and go, means that time in each space is valued more keenly, which can lead to a more efficient and productive workforce. Many employees have identified that home working makes them more efficient with tasks requiring concentration, as they have fewer (or no) interruptions. They can feel happier because they waste less time commuting and so have more time for family and friends, and are therefore a more engaged and motivated workforce. The cost benefits of hybrid working could be significant in the long-term, we’ve touched on the staff retention, productivity and well-being benefits but there are also space benefits as well. It could allow you to reduce the amount of office space required or utilise the same space to accommodate a growing, larger team of hybrid workers. Making the office hybrid working friendly At the heart of Hybrid working is the idea that individuals can come and go, without interruption to their work, or impact on their performance. Having the right office furniture and environment is key to this being possible. For example, if you are using shared hot desks, it could be beneficial to keep the same set of stationery and office supplies at each workstation, so that wherever a team member bases themselves for the day, the same equipment will be easily available at any desk. Wherever possible, the same hardware and software should also be used, so that staff are immediately at home with the workstation set-up. They can then simply login or slot their laptop into a docking station and be ready to go at the start of the day. The equipment, charger, screen and mouse can all stay with the desk, ready for the next person. The furniture should, wherever possible, be the same at every workstation and desks kept with a chair at each. If budgets allow, ideally, the furniture should be the same for home working too. This will mean that individuals have to waste less time on things like finding a chair, or navigating their way around a new desk style when they come into the office. We would recommend that surface cleaning and hand sanitising products be made available at the end of every desk bank, so that as soon as people arrive into the office, they can make their work area safe, and before they leave, they can wipe down again, ready for the next person. Staff should be encouraged to bring their own PPE each day, and communal areas such as kitchens and toilets could be used to keep a stock supply for use, so that no one needs to search for a mask if they arrive without one. How to make hybrid working successful for companies and employees Once you’ve considered the space and furniture requirements and determined how hybrid working will best work for your employees and your organisation, you will need to establish the day-to-day framework to ensure the most productive outcomes. There are many ways to make hybrid working successful and here are a few tips; Set clear boundaries and routines to protect wellbeing and prevent overwork. Modern technology is brilliant because we are always contactable, on email, phone or message. However, there is a downside to this, as many people find it hard to switch off from work, which may lead to increased stress and a risk to mental health. For staff who work for long periods at home, this issue might be exacerbated because there’s no getting away from ‘the office’, so businesses should make sure that teams have a structured work / not work schedule, so that they can put work aside and relax at the end of the day, or week when working at home. Build in time to develop hybrid working team dynamics, interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging. Prolonged homeworking can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation for some people, so it is important to maintain contact with everyone in the team, not just for meetings and progress reports, but for downtime and social calls too. Make room for formal, creative, brainstorming and problem solving sessions, either remotely, or in collaborative work spaces. For a few ideas on how to create a creative team environment, read our blog here. Utilise task-management programmes, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook Groups etc. For hybrid working, remote task management tools are also key. Enabling all team members to access shared documents, timelines, and correspondence in one place means that wherever you are, you can work as effectively as you can in the office itself. HOW TO CREATE A COLLABORATIVE WORKPLACE Hybrid and collaborative working Reconfiguring your office space will allow for more efficient collective working when teams do get together. Collaborative work environments provide a social, enjoyable environment for teams to come together and share ideas. Impromptu meetings allow for a level of flexibility that helps to foster creativity and productivity. You will need to make sure the space works for individuals across your organisation. If it’s a space where they are going to work individually, do they want to sit, stand, lean or perch? With social distancing and covid-safe working practice likely to remain for the long-term, if teams are to come together in groups, the design of your space will need to continue to allow for these too. The purpose of your collaborative workspace will be very specific to your organisation. But taking the time to really think about what you want to achieve and what you want to offer, will pay dividends in the long run. If you are interested in setting up a hybrid working and collaborative environment , take a look at our blog. View our range of home working, agile environment and collaborative workspace brochures. Enter your details to download our brochures. There are lots of office design, installation and refurbishment projects that we could share with you, to help support your business as it moves towards a hybrid and collaborative work setup, if you would like to discuss this further, please get in touch. Bristol - 0333 456 1501 or email sales@prismoffice.co.uk Devon & Cornwall - 0333 456 1511 or email devoncornwall@prismoffice.co.uk Somerset - 0333 456 1505 or email somerset@prismoffice.co.uk Surrey - 0333 456 1507 or email surrey@prismoffice.co.uk West Midlands - 0333 456 1509 or email midlands@prismoffice.co.uk Wiltshire - 0333 456 1503 or email wiltshire@prismoffice.co.uk More reading… The agile working office. 06 May 2021 As we transition from the traditional fixed desk office into a more open, collaborative, and informal working style, so too have our everyday working requirements. If you are considering how to create a more collaborative and agile working environment, take a look at our new Playbook, an introduction to Play and how it can empower agile working. How to create an effective and productive home office. 06 October 2020 Working from home has become a fact of life for all of us. Some of us are home-based every day, and some are timesharing between home and their usual workplace. Read our latest blog article. Homeworking Programme. 31 July 2020 We are pleased to introduce our latest homeworking range which is designed to improve your home ergonomics with our selection of simple and smart home office furniture. Download the brochure and price list now. Subscribe to our blog and emails 0333 456 1501 sales@prismoffice.co.uk Prism HQ 107 Longmead Road Emerald Park East Emersons Green Bristol BS16 7FG 0333 456 1501 sales@prismoffice.co.uk Our Locations Bristol 0333 456 1501 sales@prismoffice.co.uk Devon & Cornwall 0333 456 1511 devoncornwall@prismoffice.co.uk Somerset 0333 456 1505 somerset@prismoffice.co.uk Surrey 0333 456 1507 surrey@prismoffice.co.uk West Midlands 0333 456 1509 midlands@prismoffice.co.uk Wiltshire 0333 456 1503 wiltshire@prismoffice.co.uk This website uses cookies as described in our Privacy Policy. 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