Are you new to the concept of hybrid work?
I’ve been hybrid working for almost a year now and it’s great.
The cool thing is that my employer encouraged me to start the hybrid work model.
I’m lucky because our company culture is about diversity, equity, & inclusion and they support a family-like work environment.
I was kinda the guinea pig for the hybrid work model and we would evaluate how effective it can be.
I can share my first-hand experience with the evolution of the remote first hybrid model.
Let me jump right in…
Working remotely can be both exhilarating and challenging, depending on how you decide to manage your day-to-day responsibilities.
At first, I was working longer days than scheduled as I would lose track of time.
On the flip side, I started to get up as scheduled, would log in, and prepare to work remotely but then would get a coffee, let the dogs out, check my personal email, and then get distracted.
With that being said, I soon learned there are certain elements of the hybrid work model that can boost productivity.
Though the day when everyone is gone and I am in my own home office space there is limited distractions.
Knowing just a few tips and tricks can help make a huge difference when it comes to achieving better results for both yourself and your business.
I often get asked, does hybrid work actually work?
Absolutely it does! Once you are clear on what is needed to be a successful hybrid worker yes it can.
When you work remotely it should be the same as working in the office.
Here is how you can align yourself to the advantage of the benefits of hybrid work.
What Does Hybrid Mean in Working From Home?
Hybrid is a combination of two different concepts:
- Traditional office setting, this is the traditional work model, which means you go to the office to complete your daily tasks.
- Virtual Office setting, meaning most meetings are held online and can be done remotely.
This newly emerging trend of working from home gives employees more flexible work arrangements by balancing the office setting experience with the at-home experience.
I don’t feel that all remote work models are suitable for every workplace but in most cases, it can.
For example, if you have a long commute working in the office in the morning then at home in the afternoon can be a big disadvantage.
Many have found that hybrid work models are effective in reducing overhead costs while motivating staff to stay focused and engaged.
6 types of remote and hybrid work models
Here are the main types of hybrid work models.
1. Telecommuting
Telecommuting is a work arrangement in which employees work from home, either all or some of the time.
This type of hybrid model is the most common and is beneficial for both employers and employees.
Why? Because it can lead to increased productivity and decreased absences.
Additionally, telecommuting can help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution because you don’t have to work in office.
2. Virtual Office
A virtual office is a work arrangement in which employees do not have a physical office space, but instead, work from home or other remote locations.
For Example, a marketing team may spend most of the work day from a laptop wherever they are on the road. Basically everywhere go becomes new office spaces.
This type of arrangement can be beneficial for employers, as it can lead to reduced overhead costs.
Additionally, virtual offices can help to promote flexibility and work-life balance for employees.
3. Flexible Schedule
The flexible schedule hybrid model gives remote workers some control over when they work.
This allows team members to better manage their time and responsibilities outside of work.
Additionally, flexible schedules can help to promote a healthier work-life balance.
4. Compressed Workweek
A compressed workweek is when team members work fewer hours each week, but do so over a longer period of time.
This can be beneficial for employers, as it can lead to increased productivity and decreased absenteeism.
5. Job Sharing
Job sharing is a work arrangement in which two or more employees share the responsibilities of one job between them.
This can be beneficial for both employers and employees, as it can lead to increased productivity as there is someone working on a task all the time.
Additionally, job sharing can help to promote teamwork and a family-like work environment.
6. Remote Team
A remote team is a group of employees who are located in different geographic areas and time zones and who communicate and collaborate electronically.
It can still be from an office environment in many cases but not for every team member. Some remote teams could all work from home.
Is Hybrid The Same As Work From Home?
With a hybrid work model, you come into the office and work from home sometimes on the same day.
Office First: The expectation is that you show up for work in person. Most employees working get up and go to the office for on-site work.
Remote First: There is no expectation for you to show up in person, or on-site. Those that work fully remote fall into this category.
Hybrid work model: Combines both working in the office and working remotely.
What is a good hybrid working model?
With businesses adapting to the new normal, many organizations have established good hybrid working models.
They combine the best aspects of remote work and in-person office visits to maximize productivity while allowing employees more flexibility.
A good hybrid model allows employees to stay connected from anywhere, using virtual meetings and online collaboration tools like Zoom, Slack or Microsoft Teams.
A good hybrid work model has the following:
- Great virtual communication tools (As mentioned above)
- A defined work model that works for everyone.
- A set work schedule for consistency.
- Planed and available space utilization.
- A defined reporting schedule
- Support access when things are not going well
Implementing Hybrid Work Models
You have now learned how to create and use the different hybrid work models.
Each hybrid model has their advantages or disadvantages but you’ll have to try what best works for you.
Some of the disadvantages need solutions to be remote-friendly and productive.
Implementing a hybrid work model the right way with multiple locations is important for productivity.
Not every situation is the same right?
This means conducting remote work from different locations requires remote flexibility
Remote workers can still maintain crucial interpersonal connections and seamlessly transition between different working environments.
To increase business productivity while ensuring that office tasks and deadlines continue to be kept even when operating remotely here are some tips to make that happen.
1. Define your work hours
When you work from home, it can be easy to let work bleed into your personal life.
To avoid this, it is important to define your office space and work hours and stick to them.
Let your family and friends know when you are working and make sure to take breaks at regular intervals.
2. Set up a dedicated workspace
One of the best ways to stay productive when working from home is to set up a dedicated workspace.
This can be a spare room, a corner of your living room, or even just a small desk in your bedroom. Having a dedicated workspace will help you to stay focused and avoid distractions.
3. Take advantage of technology
There are a number of tools and technologies that can help you to be more productive when working from home.
For example, there are a number of project management tools that can help you to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.
There are also a number of communication tools that can help you to stay in touch with your team members. We use Microsoft Team for a quick chat or video call.
4. Make time for exercise
It is important to make time for exercise when working from home, as it can help to improve your energy levels and concentration.
Taking a brisk walk or going for a run during your lunch break can make a big difference.
Additionally, there are a number of online fitness programs that you can follow from the comfort of your own home.
5. Eat healthy meals
Another way to boost your productivity when working from home is to make sure that you are eating healthy meals.
I’m personally bad for this but this means avoiding processed foods and sugary snacks, and instead opting for healthy options like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Planning ahead by cooking healthy meals in advance can also save you time and money.
6. Avoid distractions
When working from home, there can be tons of distractions.
You can limit distractions by,
- Turning off the television.
- Establishing “Do Not Disturb” times.
- Closing your office door (If you have one).
- Post a “Do Not Disturb” sign.
- Create and communicate your hybrid work schedules for home.
- Closing any tabs on your computer that are not related to you working remotely.
- Some people like to have music playing but personally, it distracts me.
These all worked very well for me both in office and at home.
What Does Remote First Model Mean?
This is a type of remote work setup is where remote working is the default.
This means that, even if an organization allows for some in-office work, remote work is still their primary focus.
A remote-first concept emphasizes the fact that remote teams can achieve the same goals as traditional office workers.
This encourages employers to create remote positions instead of having to only fill permanent in-house roles that take up office space.
Also, the remote-first model has enabled more people worldwide to be able to access jobs and career opportunities from wherever they choose to work and benefit from flexible working hours.
Why Remote Workers Are Less Productive?
Unfortunately, some remote workers often lack the productivity of those who work in an office setting.
This can be attributed to issues such as employees not setting hybrid work arrangements with their colleagues.
Missing out on face-to-face communication on-site or in-person collaboration opportunities over lunch or coffee can lead to a work disconnect.
Remote first companies have to ensure that managers check in with remote employees on a regular basis with respect to expectations and progress updates.
Here are a few ideas we use to keep remote workers connected.
First Steps to Overcoming Hybrid Models Problems
Implementing a hybrid work model is becoming increasingly popular with so many companies, yet there are still challenges to overcome in order for it to be successful.
Having employees that split their time between in-office, remote and hybrid environments can cause communication issues, coworker collaboration problems, increased costs of infrastructure, and difficulty maintaining company culture.
Although there are numerous advantages many employees split their priorities and without the right tools, a vast majority will get hung up and be ineffective to varying degrees.
From my experience, I’ve had simple office supplies issues distract me from procrastination.
So how do you stay focused and be more productive while working from home?
The right tools can have a major advantage keep team members engaged and motivated.
How to overcome hybrid work model problems
- Hosting regular virtual meetings where all members of the team still come together on a consistent basis helps create an atmosphere of camaraderie and eliminates feelings of isolation. Example: Regularly scheduled exercise meetings with stretches and each person takes turns leading with their favorite exercises.
- Regular scheduled virtual team building exercises. Examples are virtual scavenger hunts, and one of my favorites is virtual wine tastings at the end of the work week. Yes, this is a thing.
- Implementing robust HR processes such as performance reviews and listening to employee feedback is key in ensuring that the working experience remains positive across all settings.
When done right, adding these ideas to your hybrid work schedules will encourage employee engagement.
Not bragging but I didn’t need these tools to stay focused.
Having virtual meetings early every day got me up on time and motivated me to meet my daily hybrid work schedule.
I would suggest the main three tips I listed above be included in all hybrid work models.
For me and my team, it helps drive commitment, punctuality (Showing up to meetings on time), and direction.
I’m sure it’s not just me but hybrid workers do feel more productive while building teamwork and accountability.
How Remote Employees Prevent Social Isolation.
As fully remote employees, we miss out on the traditional office environment that most office workers experience.
The potential for remote workers to become socially isolated was a concern before the pandemic but with everyone shifting to work from home it is an even greater challenge.
Without the daily interactions of their co-workers, working fully remotely can be extremely lonely.
Luckily, there are creative ways to prevent social isolation while working fully remotely.
1. Understand why you’re feeling lonely.
The first step to overcoming loneliness is to understand why you’re feeling it in the first place.
Are you working from home for the first time and feeling isolated from your colleagues?
Or have you been working remotely for a while and are starting to feel like you’re not part of a team anymore?
It’s not uncommon for remote teams to fall into these feelings.
Most company benefits cover these types of appointments.
Once you know what’s causing your loneliness, you can start to take steps to address it.
2. Make an effort to connect with others.
One of the best ways to overcome loneliness is to make an effort to connect with other people, even if you’re not physically near them.
For those fully remote from home, try joining a remote work community or scheduling regular video chats with your colleagues.
3. Get out of the house.
It’s important to make sure that you don’t spend all day cooped up inside your house or office space when you’re working from home.
Make an effort to get out of the house every day, even if it’s just for a walk around the block or a trip to the grocery store for some in-person interaction.
Getting some fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health.
4. Take care of yourself.
When you’re feeling lonely, it’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally.
Make sure you’re eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly.
It’s also important to find ways to relax and de-stress, whether that means reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
5. Seek professional help if needed.
If you’re struggling with loneliness in the hybrid workplace and it’s starting to impact your work or personal life, it may be time to seek professional help.
A therapist can help you understand and cope with your feelings of loneliness and isolation.
It’s important to stay connected so utilizing team-building activities, video conferencing, and sometimes just a status update through text works well.
Staying motivated to keep the channels open with in-office employees is on you.
When on assignment in the field I would send regular updates to my team. Not just for status updates but to stay connected and engaged.
I’ve heard of some companies are allowing employees to host virtual happy hours.
This can ensure that remote workers are connected and engaging with their colleagues, just like they would if they had to come into the office every day.
What is The Hybrid Future for Remote Work?
The hybrid future for the office workforce is an exciting one!
With less on-site work and more hybrid work models being embraced by more and more organizations, we are seeing big changes in the office first model.
There may be less of a need for employees to come into the office every day, with some having hybrid schedules which involve only coming into the office part-time or based on specific projects.
The awareness of these hybrid models can bring benefits to both employers and employees.
Not only allowing for greater flexibility and creating a more equal balance between work life and home life for most employees it’s a win-win.
Overall, hybrid work models are here to stay. The in-person work model is evolving and the future of offices may wind up looking different than were used to.
It is an exciting time to be a part of this increasingly hybrid world.