The topic of where work should transpire has become a hot-button issue in many places. It seems that people are avid defenders of the right to a remote workplace or staunch advocates for the critical role of the office. There was very little agreement between these two parties until the idea of hybrid work began gaining traction. Indeed, many companies have adopted hybrid work schedules to appease employees — but what is a hybrid work schedule? Find out what a hybrid work schedule is, what its benefits are, and why some people still aren’t on board.
Hybrid Work Environment
As the name suggests, a hybrid work environment is a marriage between two types of work environments. In this case, the different environments are remote and in-person workplaces. A hybrid workplace allows employees to enjoy face-to-face interaction with peers while still conducting some work in a virtual environment. Every company implements its hybrid work schedule differently, though. In some places, it may represent a split week, with some days spent working remotely and other days spent working at the office.
There are many benefits that proponents of this model tout. In addition to the flexibility it can afford to staff members, it can make their workload more manageable and allow them to participate in team activities. Many companies even note that hybrid work models generate the highest productivity of any work schedule. Some also report that these factors have contributed to a greater sense of work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.
Hybrid Pain Points
Despite the many benefits, hybrid work isn’t the solution to all workplace problems. On the contrary, it has many issues that employers are still trying to iron out in real time. Staff members report that a significant pain point is more difficult collaborating with colleagues. While this model was initially introduced to improve collaborative relationships, many have found that switching between remote and in-person work achieves the opposite.
Similarly, some employees find it challenging to stay on top of hybrid schedules. Some companies determine a staff member’s remote and in-person days, while others allow employees to manage their schedules. In both cases, it can be confusing to toggle from in-person to remote work constantly, contributing to employee stress levels. It’s also likely to accelerate potential burnout if the uncertainty of a constantly-changing schedule causes frustration that impairs job performance.
Ways to Overcome Hybrid Work Challenges
Although many challenges are associated with hybrid work, many solutions can make it a viable option. One of the most significant issues that hybrid work employees grapple with is the struggle of hosting and attending hybrid meetings. Some attendees gather in person in these meetings, and others can log on virtually. Technical issues and communication challenges often make this a prohibitively tricky endeavor, but some tools can simplify the hybrid meeting experience.
Users should invest in a platform that facilitates easy control of the meeting settings and simple inclusion of all attendees. Additionally, the platform should provide adequate audio quality and a clear image on its video feed. These features will eliminate many of the frustrations that often surround hybrid work and its daily meetings. To ensure that everybody is active, in-person employees should join the meeting virtually in addition to their physical presence. Invest in a hybrid meeting platform that reduces stress and fosters collaboration.