Everything There is to Know About the Hybrid Work Model
During COVID, you were forced out of the office and into working from home. Now that the pandemic is passing, many companies have decided to keep a remote component in place, developing what’s become known as a hybrid work environment.
Should you be excited? Does a hybrid model present a long-term opportunity for you?
Many employers see hybrid as the future of work. One study showed that nearly two-thirds (63%) of high-growth companies rely on a hybrid structure. Meanwhile, big names like Citigroup, Ford, and Target have adopted this operation strategy.
Clearly, many companies have launched a grand experiment related to employee scheduling. But is it a positive development for you? Here’s what you need to know about the hybrid work model:
Benefits of the Hybrid Work Model
Heading to work has its appeal. You get to spend more time with your coworkers. Collaboration is easier. Your networking opportunities become more dynamic. You also get to leave the house and strike out into the world.
However, adding an at-home component to your professional schedule brings advantages as well. Here are a few benefits you can gain through a hybrid model:
- More Flexibility
- Less Commute Time
- Better Work Satisfaction
- Ready for Anything
Promoting Productivity with a Hybrid Model
Using a hybrid model changes the basic measures of performance. Employers have less control over your day-to-day routine. This gives you additional freedom. However, it can also create a new environment that favors some work habits over others.
Because your company can’t check in on you as often, they need to rely more heavily on statistical measures of performance. By necessity, they become results-oriented rather than process-oriented.
You’ll need to keep up with these expectations during your at-home periods of work.
Meanwhile, consider how hybrid schedules impact the connections you form with teammates. Because you don’t work as closely with them in a face-to-face setting, you might not have the same opportunities to build relationships. If your secret to success relied more on networking and less on output, you might need to recalibrate in the new world of remote operations.
Getting the Most Out of a Hybrid Workplace
A hybrid model might take some getting used to. Updating your work habits will let you extract the most value from the situation. Here are a few steps you can take:
Become Your Own Manager
You’ll receive less direct oversight in a hybrid model. This might feel freeing at the outset. But if you aren’t careful, your productivity could fall behind, leaving you in a tough situation when your next performance review comes up.
As a result, you have to become your own manager. You need to monitor your performance and make sure that it remains competitive with your colleagues.
Keep Touch with Coworkers
Thanks to regularly working from home, you’ll have less contact with your coworkers. Sure, that means fewer annoying encounters in the break room. But it can also strain relationships, limit collaboration, and hamper your networking efforts.
Counteract these negative consequences by finding new ways to stay in touch with your teammates. Spark up conversations over messenger or text. Also, schedule occasional Zoom meetings to catch up.
Take Advantage of Flexibility
With a hybrid model, you should be able to achieve a better work-life balance. You’ll have more time to run errands and spend time with your loved ones. Don’t turn the situation into a work-all-the-time trap. Rather, find ways to take advantage of your newfound flexibility.
Get a Change of Scenery
Don’t just stay in your living room or home office. Hybrid working lets you take your tasks on the road. Head to the coffee shop or take a working vacation. Get the most out of your new hybrid lifestyle.
Seek Out the Perfect Employer for You
Career success often come down to matching your temperament with the perfect employer. You need to find the right company for your way of doing business. A top recruiter, like SmartTalent, can do that work for you.
Contact SmartTalent today to locate the ideal employer for you.
