Benefits of hybrid work for employees

The COVID-19 pandemic has opened the door for remote work, with many employees experiencing the benefits of a flexible work arrangement for the first time. As we emerge from the pandemic, a hybrid work model that combines remote and in-office work is becoming increasingly popular due to numerous benefits it brings to employers and employees alike.

Accenture found that 83% of employees want a hybrid work model.

In this article, we'll explore the benefits of hybrid work for employees and why a flexible work arrangement can be a good influence for one's career and well-being.

Flexibility

One of the most significant advantages of a hybrid work model is the flexibility it offers. Employees can work from home when they need to and come into the office when they have to attend meetings or collaborate with colleagues. This flexibility allows them to have more control over their work schedules and manage their personal and professional responsibilities more effectively.

This is why workplace flexibility has become an important criterion when considering whether or not to stay with the current employer. Hybrid work has become a prerequisite in overall employer attractiveness considerations.

Reduced Commuting Time and Costs

Commuting can be a time-consuming, stressing, and expensive part of working in a physical office. Employees don't have to commute to the office every day with hybrid work, saving time and money on transportation. This can lead to a better work-life balance and more time for other activities.

According to research conducted by Stockholm University, lengthy commutes to work can have a detrimental impact on employees' health. The study surveyed 13,000 individuals between the ages of 16 to 64 and found that those with lengthy commutes were more prone to being overweight, experiencing sleep problems, and developing excessive drinking habits compared to those with a short or non-existent commute.

The study also revealed that people who worked more than 40 hours a week and commuted for more than five hours were more likely to be physically inactive and experience sleep problems. In contrast, those who only commuted for one-to-five hours a week were less likely to have these issues.

According to another research, a shorter commute time has benefits in terms of increased leisure time satisfaction, increased job satisfaction, and reduced strain/improved mental health.

Increased Productivity

Hybrid work can lead to increased productivity as employees can work in an environment that suits them best. Some people work better from home while others are more efficient in the office environment. Hybrid work allows employees to choose the work environment that suits them best, which can result in higher productivity and better outcomes.

FlexJobs surveyed in 20202 over 4,000 people who were working remotely during the pandemic to find out what they thought of working at home. Results showed that 51% of respondents were more productive working from home, and 95% said productivity was higher or the same while working remotely. The reasons given for increased productivity included fewer interruptions, more focused time, a quieter work environment, a more comfortable workplace, and avoiding office politics.

Improved Work-Life Balance

Hybrid work can also improve work-life balance as employees can better manage their personal and professional responsibilities. They can schedule appointments, attend family events, or take care of personal errands during the day without having to take time off work. This can reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Using a nationally representative sample of 8,090 remote-capable employees, a Gallup study showed that 71% of hybrid workers said that work-life balance is a top advantage of a hybrid work model.

Improved Mental Health

As a final benefit, hybrid work can improve mental health as employees have more flexibility and control over their work environment. They can create a workspace that suits them best, which can improve their mood and overall well-being. By reducing stress and allowing more time to take care of themselves, hybrid work can lead to happier and healthier employees.

FlexJobs in partnership with Mental Health America (MHA) asked in July 2020 more than 800 employed respondents how a hybrid work model impacts their mental health and wellness. The study showed that the majority of the respondents agree that work flexibility would increase their overall quality of life, including decreasing their level of stress (83%), helping them take better care of their mental health (80%), and increasing the time they spend exercising (67%). And 92% believe having a flexible job could make them a happier person in general.

All of these benefits make the future of work look very promising in terms of benefits. However, a hybrid work model cannot be implemented successfully without a tool built for this purpose.

Best collaboration tool for hybrid work

Hybrid work is inconceivable without a certain level of technological support. In addition to the actual equipment for employees with technology suitable for home offices, the different models of hybrid work differ primarily with regard to the collaborative aspects:

• Asynchronous collaboration can work well with kanban boards (e.g. Asana, Trello);
• Synchronous collaboration can be realised through so-called virtual offices with permanent, shared presence (e.g. ivCAMPUS, Sococo, Teemyco).

In office-first hybrid models the technology requirement is lower and can be covered by video conferencing apps (e.g. Webex, Zoom).

However, if value is placed on social interaction and "team spirit", using a virtual office such as ivCAMPUS is the right choice because it combines the benefits of a virtual office to a physical one.

A successful hybrid work model requires an adequate technical platform. Current tools, especially video-conferencing solutions fall short of implementing sustainable hybrid work models.

ivCAMPUS combines the benefits of physical offices with those of remote collaboration. We digitalized office interactions to allow people to intuitively work together, socialise, and be part of the company culture just as they would in a real office. And all of this in an immersive platform that they can access from anywhere they want.