A hybrid work model isn't simply a mashup between traditional work and remote work. OfficeRnD breaks hybrid working down to its basics
This article was produced in partnership with OfficeRnD
The time of lockdowns may be over, but flexible working isn’t going anywhere. Originally an emergency measure, flexible work arrangements have become a standard expectation among employees worldwide – and so the idea of ‘hybrid working’ has become a hot topic among HR departments.
Search the internet for hybrid work, and you’ll find a ton of articles, guides and opinion pieces. For a company looking to create a solid strategy from scratch, this can easily lead to information overload and no clear starting point.
With the aim of plugging this content gap,
“Our e-book fills a gap by providing a well-structured, practical resource for anyone who’s interested in learning more about hybrid work but doesn’t know where to start,” Stoyanchev says.
When it comes to the term itself, he notes that many people often confuse hybrid with remote working – but while the two share similar traits, they are not the same.
“Remote work is a work approach where employees work from a location away from their office,” Stoyanchev says.
“Hybrid work, on the other hand, is a combination of remote work and office work and gives employees the chance to meet their colleagues and empowers in-person collaboration.”
“Many people also think of the model as set and done,” he adds. “Instead, it’s a work in progress subject to continual improvements. Any hybrid work model will need to stay agile to remain competitive, and to meet the evolving needs of the workplace landscape.”
A quote from the book touches on a topic that’s currently a hot potato – the challenge of bringing the workforce back to the office:
“It’s widely believed by leadership that bringing employees back under the company roof will unite the workforce, intensify the focus on company goals, spur collaboration and innovation, and generally improve productivity. However, evidence suggests that not all of that is true. A PwC survey found that a little over a third (34%) of employees say they’re more productive working from home. Executives agree. Over half (52%) report employee productivity improved in work-from-home models. Even so, most leaders believe it’s easier to manage well if managers can see who and what they’re managing.”
When it comes to the future of working, Stoyanchev says that it will almost certainly become more hybrid. Today’s employees are looking for a flexible workplace, and so the need to be adaptable and innovative will be a vital factor in an organisation’s success.
“Hybrid working will also impact the evolution of related technology,” Stoyanchev explains.
“The hybrid work software will become more sophisticated, feature-rich, and AI-driven. There will be new office models, and employers will inevitably develop and adopt new hybrid work policies to align with the constantly changing company and employee needs.”
“These days, it’s easy to fall into the information overload trap,” he concludes.
“When you want to understand more about a topic, you often don’t know where to start. The truth is, a simple Google search often turns into endless browsing that doesn’t fully satisfy your knowledge thirst.
If you want to learn more about hybrid work from a single, authoritative source, then do check out
