What’s the Future of the Hybrid Workplace? Part I: How Hybrid Work Benefits Employees
What’s the Future of the Hybrid Workplace? Part I: How Hybrid Work Benefits Employees
By now, it’s redundant to say that COVID-19 changed everything, and that many of its changes still linger. One of the most obvious impacts of the pandemic has been the disruption of the workplace as we know it. While some employees have returned to traditional office settings, the big story is the advent of the hybrid work model, allowing employees to divide their time between working from home and working from the office. (Of course, many companies remain all-remote, as well.)
In this blog post, we’re going to share some reasons why we think hybrid work is here to stay, and also explain some of the benefits that employees derive from working remotely.
The Hybrid Workplace Might Be Here to Stay
Will hybrid workplaces be with us indefinitely? There’s reason to suspect so. According to TelWare’s research, three out of five businesses are at least partially remote. We’ve also found:
- While a majority of employers shift to hybrid work environments, a majority of employees believe that these changes will be permanent; that the “new normal” will be less office-dependent than ever before.
- Attitudes toward remote work are improving. Over two-thirds of employees feel their employer views remote work in a positive light, representing a big shift since pre-COVID.
- Small and medium-sized businesses are using diverse communication channels, including phone calls, emails, and video conferencing, more than ever before, often seeking unified communication systems from experts like TelWare.
The bottom line? Businesses are adapting to a world in which remote work is commonplace, and in which traditional office settings are less central than they were before the pandemic. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that this paradigm shift will be long-term.
The Benefits of Hybrid Work (For Employees)
The shift to a hybrid-based work model is, in many ways, advantageous for businesses and employees alike. Consider just a few of the factors that give the hybrid workspace some staying power, starting with benefits for employees.
Flexibility and Engagement
For years, employers have struggled to find new ways to keep their employees engaged, without breaking the bank. The hybrid work environment may be just what they have been looking for. Without requiring any kind of direct expenditure, hybrid work models allow companies to provide their workers with much greater flexibility, and an easier time navigating work-life balance.
Keep in mind that, when you factor in commute times, many employees spend upwards of 12 hours each day away from home. Remote work can significantly reduce that time, while also creating more opportunities for employees to use their time wisely around the house. For example, instead of using their 10-minute break to walk down the block for a coffee, employees can use that time to throw some dishes in the dishwasher, take their dog out for a quick walk, or fold some laundry.
Autonomy
Not only can working remotely help employees use their time more wisely, but it also leads to greater autonomy in how they work. Employees can set up their office space however they like, keep the thermostat in their preferred setting, or even play some background music if they so choose. These may sound like small things, but they can make a big difference in terms of employee engagement and morale.
Employee Wellness
Employee wellness is something that gets talked about a lot, but actually implementing it can be a challenge. The switch to remote work paradigms can be a no-brainer. Simply eliminating daily commutes can have an incredibly positive impact on employee stress and anxiety levels. Meanwhile, studies show that employees who work from home often have much healthier eating habits, as the allure of fast food and vending machines is greatly reduced.
Financial Benefits
Employees who work from home tend to save a lot of money, too. There are savings on gasoline, of course, but also things like auto maintenance, train tickets, tolls, eating out… the list of potential savings opportunities goes on and on.
Communication and Collaboration
Another reason why we think hybrid workplaces are here to stay? The tools and technologies needed for teamwork, communication, and collaboration just get better all the time. For instance, Unified Communications systems enable employees to access phone, video conferencing, and instant messaging options whether they are at home or at the office.
Learn More About the Benefits of Hybrid Work
Clearly, working remotely can be advantageous for employees… but what about business owners? Stay tuned for the second part of this series, in which we’ll discuss the benefits of remote work from the employer side, and also discuss some solutions to common remote work obstacles.
To learn more about staying current with the latest communications technology, contact TelWare at 1.800.637.3148 or email us at sales@telware.com. TelWare is a national leader in the installation of voice, video, data, and unified communications solutions.