The Covid-19 pandemic has irreversibly disrupted the old working model and created a tectonic shift globally, pushing the adoption of hybrid workplaces. Remote work has become the norm, with many businesses planning to carry the hybrid office model into the future. The data shows us that:

• 100% of Dax-30 companies will offer remote work options to their employees. (Spiegel)
  
  
• More than 80% of German managers expect greater demand for home-office from employees (Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation
  
  
• Over 60% of the workforce prefer to work at home one or more days a week (Jones Lang LaSalle research)
  
  
• 40% of companies plan to extend home office offer after COVID-19 in Germany (Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation)
  
  

• A survey in May showed that 55% of US workers want a mixture of home and office working (Stanford).

What would it mean for your organization to go hybrid and what are the benefits?


The definition of hybrid workplace

A hybrid workplace model allows employees to work from home (WFH) or in-office, without creating the dichotomy of "remote vs. in-office" for employees. When implemented correctly and following best practices, a hybrid office strikes the right balance between the two.

The benefits

This mix gives employees more freedom and autonomy around when to work as well as where. Organizations may end up with a more productive, cost-efficient, and happy workforce.

• Time and cost savings
  
  

For businesses - Expect lower overheads. Fewer people in the office means fewer costly office expenses. Thanks to office downsizing (ie. a smaller office), you may be able to spend less on rent and electricity.

For Employees - Remote workers can have savings of € 2,000 to € 6,500 yearly, by cutting costs on commute fees (petrol or transport), eating out, new wardrobes, etc. (inc.com). This creates more time for family, friends, and hobbies instead. A study has found that remote workers get 105 additional hours a year for leisure (Citrix).

Managing and distributing resources effectively when office downsizing is a foolproof way to ensure cost savings. Accessing real-time data will enable you to better control your efforts and minimize spendings – resulting in smarter decisions for your hybrid workplace. For example, our platform will alert you to let you know you are under-utilizing your space. It will offer tailored recommendations to optimize processes, accommodating NewWork requirements.

• Better use of employees' time and higher productivity
  
  

Time - Less time spent in meetings and on daily commutes leads many employees to feel more focused and productive, as they benefit from fewer distractions.

Productivity - Depending on the nature of the job and personality, some employees are more comfortable at home where they can work quietly (say, writers), while others thrive in a community and office setting – perhaps, those in cash-generating units (CGUs) such as sales teams. By allowing your hybrid team to work to their strengths, the company's productivity also rises.

• Healthier and happier employees
  
  

Health - Let's start by stating the obvious: the Covid-19 pandemic accidentally accelerated the hybrid working model by decreasing health exposure risks in the workplace (aka preventing the spread of the virus). Fewer in-house employees mean that your company may be able to lower the chances of colds, the flu and so on, which may result in fewer sick days.

Happiness - Employees value flexibility and want more autonomy. We know that:

• Two-thirds of workers are more productive when working at home. One in three believe the switch to remote work has left them less stressed (The Australian Financial Review)
  
  
• Nearly 40% of job candidates worldwide consider schedule flexibility as one of their top three factors in career decisions (ManpowerGroup Solutions)

• A greener footprint for your organization - Become more environmentally friendly and contribute to a greener future by going hybrid. Following Covid-19, businesses are rethinking practices that were conventional but not efficient, like taking a flight for a two-hour meeting. A study showed that CO2 emissions can drop dramatically – by 5.4 million tons per year – if 40% of employees work permanently from home two days a week (IZT on behalf of Greenpeace).

Conclusion: When managed properly, a hybrid workspace can create all these benefits for your business and more. Choosing a platform like yoffix can support your transition.

Ready to kick-start your organization's evolution in just a few simple steps?