What is a Hybrid Workplace Model and Why Should You Consider Using it?

A Hybrid Approach to Today’s Workplace

Work flexibility is consistently cited as a major post-pandemic trend – driven by employee demand. In response, many employers are implementing hybrid workplace models in their business locations.

What Is a Hybrid Model?

A hybrid workplace is a flexible model specifically designed to support a workforce of both onsite and remote employees. A thoughtful hybrid workplace approach combines the best aspects of an organization’s on-site and remote workplaces.

A practical hybrid model may be a combination of several arrangements, including the following:

• Flex remote: Employees are on-site on set days.
• Core hours: Employees are available during designated times
• Custom scheduling: Employees request a specific hybrid work schedule.

Is Hybrid the Future?

Consider the following findings from a Mercer survey of U.S. employers:

• 83 percent are considering flexible work arrangements more than they did prior to the pandemic.
• 73 percent plan to implement a hybrid work environment.
• 42 percent plan to focus employee training on leading and working in a virtual or blended environment.

Hybrid workplace models come with both advantages (e.g., wider talent pools and increased employee productivity) and challenges (e.g., difficulty communicating and lack of real-time collaboration). Also, hybrid workplaces can look very different based on an organization’s priority of the following factors:

• Talent access
• Team productivity
• Individual productivity
• Real estate costs

5 Hybrid Workplace Strategies

Most organizations have standards in place for on-site employees and now need to adapt to a mirroring set of standards for those working remotely. To best accommodate a distributed workplace, consider the following five tips:

1. Formalize hybrid work processes and set clear expectations.
2. Be transparent about remote and hybrid work expectations and decisions.
3. Plan meetings to be friendly to all employees.
4. Consider how project management and communication channels can foster companywide collaboration.
5. Ask for and listen to feedback from employees.

The implementation of hybrid workplace models will vary by organization. But GTM can help by providing the technology to efficiently recruit, onboard, and engage employees, whether they are in the workplace or remote. Request a quote to learn more.

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