The hybrid workplace model combines remote workers who are working from far off places to be specific from their homes with people working from the workplace. Information technology has helped to bridge the gap between employees who work in different locations using video conferencing and instant messaging tools, employees can stay connected and work together on projects in real time. In organizations some or all employees are given the flexibility to choose where and when they want to work. In-office time is allocated by days based on teams on need arising basis. The hybrid working model is a work style that enables employees to blend working from different locations: home, on the go, or in the office.
Amazon the biggest e-commerce player in world during the pandemic decided to give employees two days a week where they were allowed to work from home. Amazon prefers workers working in office and they did not want to embrace hybrid work model prior to Covid. But after Covid they found it difficult to go back to work from office. However, they still firmly believe that creativity is something that happens when people are together at the office and that employees develop and innovate the best if they are together at the office, so everyone is strongly encouraged to go. Also, some work functions such as hardware engineers and frontline operations are required to work at the office. Nevertheless, they do acknowledge the desire to work from home and nowadays, it is up to each team to decide what works best for their unit.
The hybrid model is not a fit for every workplace or every industry, it’s best suited to employees whose work is computer-based and doesn’t need to be performed on site. A recent report from McKinsey looked at remote work that can be done without loss of productivity. It determined that about 20% to 25% of the workforces in advanced economies could work from home between three and five days a week. This represents four to five times more remote work than before the pandemic.
An effective hybrid work system promotes autonomy, flexibility, high performance, collaboration, positive work relationships and effective work habits. A company might require that employees work three days a week in organization, with the option to work remotely the other two days. Or they might dictate a specific weekly schedule: for example, employees need to be in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays but can choose their work location for the rest of the week.
In Microsoft, the rules are quite clear for the over 180,000 employees of the software giant. Employees can work from home for up to 50% of the time after agreeing on their new hybrid schedule with their manager. Anything above 50% is considered a home office setup and will have different eligibility criteria. Work hour flexibility is standard for most roles, allowing employees to arrange their workday according to their preferences and needs.
At Apple Inc, the management recently implemented its hybrid work policy, but things have not been working smoothly. Apple adopted a relatively rigid approach to hybrid work. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday are fixed on-site days, and employees have been pushing back. Some high-profile employees even resigned over the policy. Although it is receiving criticism, Apple is firm on its policy. It just lacks the flexibility that many remote workers have grown accustomed to during the Covid pandemic. The example of Apple’s is also a warning in terms of how the hybrid workplace is constantly evolving, and organizations need to find solutions to change rapidly.
Businesses during Covid pandemic had to quickly overcome a countless challenge, from providing the right tools to managing productivity and a low morale in an isolated team environment. After few months, however, it was clear that there was no going back, because employees preferred this new, more flexible work model.
Non-tech firm Tata Steel has also embraced hybrid. It had implemented an ‘Agile Working Model’ policy in 2020 for white-collar workforce, under which the job positions were classified into absolute WFH (wherein the employee can work from any location in India) and flexi work from home.
Negative side of hybrid work model: Every organisation faces different challenges in making a hybrid work model successful. Developing a successful hybrid work model is not easy. Each company needs to design and develop a model to fit their organization culture. Each company’s needs are unique.
As companies move towards hybrid models’ security of information and data continues to be a threat and a concern. With employees working from home using their own networks, and potentially their own devices, HR and IT departments will need to focus on end-user education and security.
In a hybrid model, managers must take care to ensure that both on-site and remote workers have the same workload and same opportunities and exposure, including evaluations that are based upon productivity. It is crucial to ensure that remote team members do not feel isolated. The managers need to also make sure that the accountability of the employees does not go down. It is difficult for HR teams to focus on keeping employees feeling connected when their staff is working from different locations at any given time. Getting seamless connectivity to avoiding gaps, silos, and knowledge loss, businesses need to develop barrier-free connectivity that allows hybrid teams to communicate quickly and efficiently. Maintaining a thriving company culture must be an intentional goal in a hybrid workplace model.
The hybrid workplace model is not pro the ideal work culture. It is the “new normal.” Inclusive hybrid workplace where all employees no matter where they’re working are productive, engaged, and feel connected and included. Technology has its limitation such as compatibility issues, internet connectivity, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, complexity, and overhead costs.
I end my article with an example of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country’s largest IT company is set to end its hybrid working policy. In an internal communication sent last year in mid-September, the company mandated that its workforce should attend office for five days in a week starting October 1, 2023.
