Hybrid Working – How your Business can Make it Work

Hybrid working is where employees can experience a flexible working environment. Ipswich based Corbel, incorporate elements of hybrid working into their working structure. Employees who work hybrid have the ability to work partly in the physical workplace e.g., the office and partly remote, from home or another workspace.

In the pandemic, the majority of businesses in Suffolk had to temporarily send all their staff to work from home due to Covid-19 restrictions. Whilst pre-pandemic, many would have agreed that the office is the best place to work – more of us would now agree that working from home can be just as beneficial. In fact – more employees recently have announced that hybrid working is far more enjoyable as it helps them achieve a better work-life balance.

The benefits of Hybrid working do not stop there – not only can it help to increase job satisfaction due the flexibility it provides, but it can also help employers to recruit better employees as there is a wider talent pool to choose from which provides opportunity for employees who are further afield and those who have flexible working requirements to apply. Hybrid working provides the perfect mix to make the most of the perks of working in the office and working from home.

This blog outlines how you can make the most of hybrid working in your business and take advantage of its benefits…

Hybrid Working Models

Hybrid working looks different in every business depending on the type of work the business completes, the number of employees they have employed as well as the location of the business. These factors will all contribute to the type of working model a business will embody. There are four typical working models/environments that businesses tend to use:

Remote Focused –

All employees will work remotely here, meetings will be conducted online, and it is only workers who have to complete work on-site and cannot perform it online that will be required go into the office.

Office Focused –

Employees that are a part of a business who embody this model are expected to be in the office with exceptions that are to be agreed upon an individual or team basis (this model is typically used in industries where face-to-face interaction is important)

Flexible Model –

This is a typical hybrid working structure, employees can choose whether they want to work remotely from home or in the office – whilst there may be particular occasions where they need to be in the office for meetings, there is greater flexibility

Partly Remote –

This is where some teams are fully remote and other teams are office-bound – for example the marketing department may work from home if they are not needed in the office, whereas it may be important for other departments, such as the sales department, to be in the office

How to Make the Most of Hybrid Working

Focus on employees’ individual needs

When looking to adapt your existing working model, you need to consider employee’s individual needs and not just the organisational needs.

The whole debate of whether working from home or from the office is better is dependent on individual opinions. Valuing employees’ individual needs can also help to improve staff retention as employees will feel a valuable part of the organisation.

Communication is key with hybrid working

Communication is key when adopting a hybrid working model. Employees are not all in the same place at once and so communication inevitably will become trickier.

Although, with the correct planning in place it doesn’t need to be difficult. With simple measures including the sharing of schedules where necessary and regular online meetings, to provide opportunity to bring those working from home and the office together – it is possible to communicate with each other just as though you were in the office.

Remembering the importance of face-to-face meetings

Both aspects of the hybrid working should be considered as beneficial to the business – as they both provide their own strengths. Most definitely in terms of that we should not forget the importance face-to-face meetings and in-person interactions.

Meeting with each other face-to-face could mean there is inevitably less technological issues, as well as there being less of a chance that information will get lost in translation. Amongst this there is also an opportunity for employees to brainstorm together in person and collaboration is likely to be encouraged.

Providing all workers with equal benefits

One thing business’s need to ensure they do not do, is favour individuals based on their choices to work from home or in the office. All employees should be treated equally as common practice, but especially in this instance.

If employees working from home for example, have more flexible working hours, consider letting employees work from the office having more flexible start/finish times.

This is a small change that is enough to make a big difference and ensure employees feel valued.

Are you looking for a space to bring your employees together?

If you’re looking for an accessible, air-conditioned meeting room to bring your staff together and make the most of your teams’ capabilities – then Ipswich based IT Support company Corbel can provide you with the perfect solution. With no-long term commitment and flexibility guaranteed, anyone can benefit from our meeting room hire Ipswich, depending on your individual needs. With the option of a one-off or recurring hire, as well as the choice of full day hire or half day hire – this meeting room hire can be used to your own benefit according to your own needs. Your experience is our main priority and our high-speed Wi-Fi, kitchen facilities and interactive meeting board reflect this. To find out more about our meeting room hire Ipswich – take a look at our service page, give us a call on 01473 241515 or email us at info@corbel.co.uk.

Corbel are hosting our very own open morning on Tuesday 8th of November from 9:00am – 12:00pm. There will be opportunity for you to come and take a look at our facilities in our brand-new offices which opened in 2020! There will be a range of technology breakout sessions where we will be sharing all the latest advice on all things Cyber Security, automation and staff wellbeing. Come along, grab a coffee and get all the latest technology updates, with advice on your IT Strategy. Register your interest for the open morning here.

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Ipswich based IT Support company, Corbel Solutions Limited will work effectively with you as an IT support partner, providing IT consultancy services, Cyber Security, and office 365 support. Take a look at our IT service buyers guide if you are considering switching IT support companies. With meeting room hire facilities available, Corbel provides an opportunity for you to bring remote employees together and collaborate on projects.