The last couple of years have been quite turbulent and unpredictable. Just when you think you’re all settled in - surprise! A global pandemic hits, or a new war, is an alien attack next? Some things will go back to the way they were, but the ones that turned out to be a good solution might stay for a while. One of those things is remote working, or even better: hybrid working. A few years back, remote working was reserved for distinctive professions, but then we got forced to figure out how to adjust traditional jobs to a new crisis. And sure enough, we did. We became quite creative in finding new ways of doing traditional jobs. But what was interesting is that a lot of people found this to be a great improvement in their personal life. Of course, one solution does not fit all, so finding a balance is the best idea and that’s where hybrid working comes in!

As an employer, you should try to allow your team members to try out hybrid working, and see how it goes.

The plus side of remote working

Not having to commute and dress up are probably some of the top reasons people love remote working. But the freedom it gives to employees is without a doubt the most important aspect. When you give your employees more freedom to plan and organize their life-work balance, not only will they be happier, but it will also have a significant impact on their motivation and productivity. As a person working remotely, you must set some rules and boundaries. Even though you are working from the comfort of your home, you can still be easily distracted by a bunch of things and end up not finishing the work. That is why some structure is important. Setting daily or weekly goals will help you not get sidetracked. Organizing your home office (which can be any spot you pick in your home) should not have any distractions and should be comfortable for you. If you have a family or roommates, setting some ground rules can also come in handy.

Why is hybrid working a better solution?

Sometimes things can easily get out of hand. Too much freedom and too many distractions are not for everyone. No routine or structure can and will negatively impact your productivity. That’s why it’s important to stick to your goals no matter how small they are. Being too long away from the office and other people might alienate you from the organizational culture which plays a big role in any business and its identity. It is always a good idea that besides online meetings you organize in-person catching up, and make sure you are all in sync. Organizing weekly or monthly in-person meetings and just getting everybody on the same page is a must. No matter how much technology has advanced and you can use VR, AR and MR in your meetings, in-person communication mustn’t be avoided. Even if it’s just to get together and chitchat about non-work-related topics, it is a great way to bring your team together, and improve unity.

As an employer, you should try to allow your team members to try out hybrid working, and see how it goes. You might end up with a more motivated and happier workforce which will pass on to productivity. You can also end up cutting utility costs and maybe even rent if it turns out that you don’t need that much space after all. And if you are an employee of a company that supports this form of working, it is a great opportunity for you to improve your work-life balance and have more quality time for yourself and your family. It is an obvious time and money saver if you look at the commuting aspect, but you can also end up saving money by not spending it on work attire and make-up. Might seem silly, but it is a fact. There isn't a one-shot solution for everyone, you must figure out what works best for you, but just a couple of years ago, we didn’t have this opportunity. So it would be a pity not to try hybrid working and find the balance we are all looking for.