Is Hybrid Working Losing Its Popularity with Both Employers and Staff?
The hybrid working model, once hailed as the future of work, may be losing some of its appeal as companies and employees alike re-evaluate its long-term viability.
Coming into full force due to the COVID pandemic, we can see how the popularity of working from home has changed, with 4.7% of the UK working from home in 2019, and this figure rising to 25% in 2022.
While the flexibility offered by hybrid working was initially welcomed by many during the pandemic, recent trends suggest that both organisations and their staff are reconsidering the balance between remote and in-office work.
A company that has revoked its hybrid working model is Boots, where employees were previously required in the office three days a week, to now five days a week. This decision was made to improve the culture at Boots, and create a more effective working model – but could there be negative backlash from this new working structure?
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With so many factors to consider for both the positives and the negatives of hybrid working – for both employers and employees – Shalini Khemka CBE, CEO and Founder of the entrepreneurial community E2E, speaks about how these factors compare and how this might affect the corporate landscape.
What are the benefits of hybrid working?
For many people, the flexibility that comes with hybrid working is a major benefit, supporting their work-life balance and their mental wellbeing. With no commute time and the ability to adjust working hours, it can allow for a healthier lifestyle that balances work and social life.
Hybrid working also allows for reduced commuting costs, a benefit that many of us appreciate with the rising cost of living, whether it’s cutting down on public transport costs or fuel costs.
A lot of people have also found that working remotely has removed a lot of distractions that can be found in the office, and being in their own space in a more solitary setting has allowed them to concentrate and work more productively.
In the eyes of the employer, hybrid and remote working opens up a wider pool of talent to hire from, enabling them to work with people situated anywhere in the UK, or even globally. This means that a workforce can be created that is powered by leading talent with varying backgrounds and outlooks, fostering a more well-rounded and diverse team.
Does hybrid working have negative implications?
Despite the many perks of working from home, a lot can be said for traditional in-office working in today’s world.
When working from home and communication is entirely virtual, it can make the informal sharing of information a lot harder, with sending and interpreting messages clearly being a vital part of how we interact with colleagues.
Depending on our working style, some people have felt less productive at home, not being able to focus whilst in the comfort of their own home. Alternatively, some people find they can’t switch off from their 9-5 when their working office also doubles as their space for relaxation.
Being separated from an office environment can also cause loneliness and feelings of isolation, particularly for those who live alone. Our working lives allow us to meet new people, make friends, and surround ourselves with like-minded individuals – a benefit that can heavily impact our mental health.
It must be noted that for the employer, paying the rent and bills for a building that does not house the majority of its workforce every day can take its toll, and being able to facilitate a hybrid working environment can end up being more costly that it is worth.
Whilst both hybrid working and in-office working have their positives and negatives, it is something that becomes personal to each organisation. What works for one business may not work for another, and carefully assessing these factors and how your workforce might best operate is crucial to creating a happy and productive team.
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