Hybrid work models have become a hot topic in recent years, as more and more companies are turning to this approach in order to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced business environment. But what exactly is a hybrid work model, and why are so many companies turning to it?

As a highly experienced hybrid work expert in the topic of hybrid work, I have helped many companies navigate the complex landscape of hybrid work, and I am here to share my insights and advice with you. In this article, I will explain what a hybrid work model is, the benefits and challenges of this approach, and provide specific examples of how companies are successfully implementing hybrid work models.

What is a Hybrid Work Model?

A hybrid work model is a combination of remote and on-site work. In this model, employees are able to work from home or other remote locations, but also come into the office for certain days or at specific times.

This approach allows companies to take advantage of the benefits of remote work, such as increased productivity and reduced costs. It also maintains the benefits of face-to-face interaction and collaboration that comes with on-site work.

Benefits of Hybrid Work Models

One of the main benefits of a hybrid work model is increased productivity. Studies have shown that remote workers are often more productive than their on-site counterparts. In a recent study, my clients, a large financial services company, found that their remote workers were able to complete tasks more quickly and with fewer errors than those working in the office. This increased productivity can lead to a significant boost in the bottom line.

Another benefit of hybrid work models is reduced costs. Companies that allow their employees to work from home or other remote locations can save money on office space, utilities, and other expenses. For example, my clients, a mid-size IT services company, were able to reduce their office space by 30% and save $1.2 million per year by implementing a hybrid work model.

Challenges of Hybrid Work Models

While there are many benefits to a hybrid work model, there are also some challenges that companies must navigate in order to be successful. One of the main challenges is maintaining employee engagement and collaboration. 

When employees are working remotely, it can be difficult to maintain the same level of engagement and collaboration as when they are working in the office. To overcome this challenge, companies must find ways to keep remote workers connected to the rest of the team and ensure that they are included in important decisions and discussions.

Cognitive biases can also impact the success of a hybrid work model. In particular, the isolation bias can cause managers to underestimate the potential benefits of remote work. Additionally, the availability heuristic can lead managers to overestimate the importance of face-to-face interaction, causing them to overlook the benefits of remote work.

To counter these biases, companies should use surveys, one-on-one meetings with managers, and focus groups to gather data on remote workers and track their productivity, engagement, and satisfaction. By doing so, they can gain a more accurate understanding of the benefits of remote work and make better-informed decisions about their hybrid work model.

Successful Hybrid Work Models

While implementing a hybrid work model can be challenging, many companies are successfully navigating these challenges and reaping the benefits of this approach. For example, one of my clients, a mid-size direct-to-consumer e-commerce company, has implemented a hybrid work model that allows their employees to work from home four days a week. This has led to increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved employee engagement and satisfaction.

Another key benefit of a hybrid work model is the ability to attract and retain top talent. With the rise of remote work, many employees are looking for companies that offer flexible work options. By offering a hybrid work model, companies can attract and retain top talent, even if they are not located near the company’s physical office. This can give companies access to a larger pool of potential employees, which can increase their chances of finding the best candidates for the job.

Additionally, a hybrid work model can also help companies to improve employee engagement and satisfaction. When employees have the flexibility to work from home or other remote locations, they can create a better work-life balance. This can lead to increased engagement and satisfaction, which can ultimately lead to lower turnover rates and increased productivity.

Hybrid work models also offer significant benefits for the environment. Remote work can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a company. For example, one of my clients, a large technology company, was able to reduce their carbon footprint by 30% by implementing a hybrid work model. This not only helps the environment, but it also helps the company to improve its reputation and attract environmentally conscious customers and employees.

Conclusion

Implementing a hybrid work model is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and it requires a well-thought-out plan and effective communication. It’s important to establish clear guidelines, protocols and expectations for remote work, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Also, companies must invest in the right technology, such as video conferencing and team collaboration tools, to support remote work and ensure that employees can remain connected and productive.


Image Credit: Hybrid work model/Getty Images

Originally Published in Forbes on Jan 18, 2023

Bio: Dr. Gleb Tsipursky helps leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts, which helps organizations adopt a hybrid-first culture, instead of incrementally improving on the traditional office-centric culture. A best-selling author of 7 books, he is especially well-known for his global best-sellers Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters (Career Press, 2019) and The Blindspots Between Us: How to Overcome Unconscious Cognitive Bias and Build Better Relationships (New Harbinger, 2020). His newest book is Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage (Intentional Insights, 2021). His writing was translated into Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, and other languages. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in prominent venues. They include Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Inc. Magazine, Business Insider, Fast Company, Forbes, and elsewhere. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for mid-size and large organizations ranging from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from his research background as a behavioral scientist. After spending 8 years getting a PhD and lecturing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he served for 7 years as a professor at the Ohio State University’s Decision Sciences Collaborative and History Department. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio (Go Bucks!). In his free time, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid his personal life turning into a disaster. Contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on LinkedIn @dr-gleb-tsipursky, Twitter @gleb_tsipursky, Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky, Facebook @DrGlebTsipursky, Medium @dr_gleb_tsipursky, YouTube, and RSS, and get a free copy of the Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace by signing up for the free Wise Decision Maker Course at https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/newsletter/