The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we think, the way we live, and the way we work. Gone are the days when we used to work in an office or walk on a public street without any doubt. Now, more and more people prefer to work from home where they feel safe from the new variants and have minimal contact with others.
As a result,
more companies are opting for a hybrid work model wherein an employee has to
come to the office on specific days while on other days, they can work from
home. But is it the right approach? Is the hybrid work model more productive?
Let's find out.
The Study
A study
conducted by The Adecco Group, a renowned HR Solution company, examined the
attitudes towards work and the changes in the same over 12 months. The research
covered 25 nations and 15,000 respondents who were based in the offices. It
highlighted that though the hybrid working model can increase employees'
productivity, it can also add pressure on leaders and workers.
Pros and Cons
Though every
organization chooses to pick a hybrid model that works for its organizational
culture and employee preferences, there are some common pros and cons of the
hybrid model that every organization considering it should keep in mind.
Pros
Ø Convenience and Flexibility
Employees feel
more convenient with this model as it helps them to maintain a better work-life
balance.
Ø Cost-Effectiveness
This method is
cost-effective for employers and employees. Employees save on fuel costs while
employers save on structural costs.
Ø Increased Hiring Options
The hiring
options expand as more and more people prefer employers who have adopted a
hybrid model instead of employers who demand an employee come to the office
every day.
Ø Productivity and Efficiency
Some studies
have shown that employees become more productive and efficient in a hybrid
model.
Cons
Ø Creativity
Fostering
creativity is not easy for employers who adopt a hybrid model. These tips
might help.
Ø Collaboration
The
communication and collaboration between teams might not be as smooth as it was.
Ø Equipment Access
An employer
needs to provide the necessary tools, gadgets, and access to employees when
they work from home.
Ø Lack of Personal Touch
Sometimes,
clients might feel that there is no personal touch with employees working as
per a hybrid model. It can lead to disappointment.
Ø Training/Mentoring
Training and
mentoring an employee to take on bigger roles can be complicated in a hybrid
model.
How to
Measure Productivity in a Hybrid Work Model
You can look at
many aspects when you want to measure productivity in a hybrid work model. You
can measure the number of tasks completed per week/month, the rate of tasks
completed on time, the quality ratings achieved on the work completed, feedback
from customers or other team members or supervisors. You can also measure
availability and activity levels during working hours.
All in all, it
can be said that a hybrid work model might make employees more productive. In
addition to productivity, employers need to stay focused on the well-being of
employees and the social connections among employees. As an employer, it would
be best if you also thought of sustainable innovation that helps in driving
business success.
Sources:
https://business-review.eu/business/human-resources/research-ongoing-hybrid-working-increases-productivity-but-adds-pressure-on-workers-and-leaders-223071
https://aircall.io/blog/operations-management/productivity-hybrid-work-environments/
https://hbr.org/2021/09/lets-redefine-productivity-for-the-hybrid-era