Hybrid work means something different to everyone

Hybrid work means something different to everyone

The pandemic has created new ways of working, with many multinationals using hybrid working models in ways they would have never imagined prior to the global crisis. As more employees discover a better work-life balance, there is an increasing demand trend toward keeping flexible work models in place. But will the hybrid workplace remain or will companies revert back to more traditional work models?

Hybrid work combines remote working and in-office working, where some or all employees have the freedom to choose where and when they work, dividing their time between working from home and a central office.

Employers and employees may differ on the number of days that staff should come into the office, and it also depends on the company and its business activities. Companies are offering varying degrees of flexibility and policies to encourage a return to the office. But with more employees than ever considering new opportunities and seeking a better work-life balance, companies will need to adapt to attract and retain their talent. 

What do employees want

Many employees have struggled to balance the pressures of life and work during the pandemic. 

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) in conjunction with Quokka HR conducted “ The Future of Work & Skills Survey” in May 2021 to explore barriers to Hong Kong implementing remote work protocols. The results from over 600 employers and employees interviewed online found that 81% of employers think hybrid work is feasible in the future while 62% of them have plans to implement it permanently; more than 93% of employee respondents believe hybrid work is feasible and 72% prefer it to be their future mode of work.

Employers cited team communications, management and motivation as the top three challenges in hybrid work. Whereas employees listed teamwork, homeworking and network connectivity to be their three challenges in a hybrid model using remote work in Hong Kong.

Both employers and employees agreed that the IT skills of the workforce would need to be upgraded to successfully implement a hybrid work model, with just over half of employers stating they would be willing to invest in IT and digital skills training to support their staff. 

The survey result shows that the majority of Hong Kong employer and employee respondents would prefer a hybrid work model moving ahead.

Microsoft has concluded that flexible hybrid work models are here to stay. With over 70 percent of workers wanting flexible remote work options to continue, along with 65 percent of workers desiring more in-person time with their teams and collaboration in the workplace. 

The implications of this show that employee expectations are changing and leaders need to move with the times. According to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, “We will need to define productivity much more broadly – inclusive of collaboration, learning, and wellbeing to drive career advancement for every worker, including frontline and knowledge workers, as well as for new graduates and those who are in the workforce today. All this needs to be done with flexibility in when, where, and how people work.” 

While working from home presents certain challenges, most employees appreciate the flexibility it offers and prefers not to return to the office full-time so as to enjoy a better work-life balance. The McKinsey survey found that 51 percent of respondents ranked work-life balance as a top priority going forward, even outranking better salaries. 

While leadership acknowledges that the future of work is hybrid, they have the difficult task of balancing demands for more remote options with concerns about maintaining productivity, culture, and collaboration. They recognise that the freedom to work remotely has a positive impact on well-being but are concerned it can come at a cost. 

Potential hybrid work models

What are some of the forms that a potential hybrid work model could take? Here are four of the most common hybrid models companies are implementing:

Some remote options, with a large HQ 

This hybrid work model enables employees to work remotely one to three days a week while working the rest of the time in the traditional office headquarters. Given most employees’ preference for at least three days of remote work, this option could make retention difficult. 

Some remote options, with multiple office hubs 

This option offers one to three days of remote work—but rather than reporting into a large centralised office, employees could perform in-office work throughout a set of smaller regional hubs or satellite offices. This hybrid work model brings offices closer to employees, making commuting easier and creating a wider available talent pool. 

Primarily remote with flexible workspace options

This is a primarily remote work model with employees working remotely up to five days a week. But rather than providing assigned desks or office locations, a company offers their staff flexible spaces with hot desks and meeting spaces in select locations for collaboration and focused office work. 

Fully remote, no office

This hybrid work model enables a fully remote workforce. It could involve staff located across different locations, even continents and time zones. The benefits of this remote work model include removing barriers to accessing talent despite their location and savings on bricks and mortar overhead costs. While this model has its benefits, many employees say they would still like the option of touching base at an office for teamwork and socialisation. 

What does this mean for the future of remote work?

Employers will need to accommodate what employees want and make changes to incorporate a hybrid work model if they want to retain their talent. As the workforce demands more emphasis on worker well-being and better work-life balance, flexibility is necessary. Whether corporations like it or not, it seems hybrid work is here to stay. 

Are you considering a hybrid work model and looking for some satellite office spaces? Learn more about our flexible co-working spaces designed to support hybrid workforces at wework.hk. Connect with us today to find out more.

Category
Business Solutions
Tags
collaboration at work
collaboration in the workplace
hybrid work
hybrid work model
hybrid working meaning
hybrid workplace
remote work
remote work hong kong