Everybody back in! The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Working

So, the debate on whether staff should return to the office rumbles on.

Two years ago, hybrid working was being embraced and adopted with open arms. It felt like our workplaces had come of age and we had all finally been given permission to untether ourselves from our desks, and work is a way that truly embraced the freedom to be your best, whenever, or wherever that maybe.

However, over the last 12 months some of the world’s most famous organisations have made a conscious effort to return their staff to the office. Strong enforcement tactics have been enlisted as they have reminded their staff that “the office remains the primary workplace.”

I have given this subject a lot of thought and spoken with a selection of industry colleagues and peers and there is not a one size fits all solution. What I genuinely believe is about being authentic to yourself, about what your organisation stands for, how this is reflected through your staff, and in turn how you support your clients.

There is a lot to be said about the day-to-day interactions you have in the office, the banter and enjoyment you get from being present in the office just cannot be replicated online. So, does it have to be one thing or another? Or can it not just be a healthy mix of what is right for you and your organisation on any given day/month/year?

There are many pros and cons of hybrid working, so let us just take a minute to weigh these up:

The Benefits of Hybrid Working

Organisations such as Airbnb have told their staff they can work anywhere in the world without experiencing a pay cut! The ultimate endorsement on how you can do your best work from any location. After all, isn’t work something we do rather than somewhere we go?

This unchallenged level of freedom comes with the overwhelming feeling of trust, which focusses and empowers your workforce to do their best work.

Hybrid working has resulted in the need for less real estate, so less energy and resources are needed to fuel giant buildings, reducing the carbon footprint on the world.

The long commute is removed allowing for more time for your staff to spend with their family and friends, reducing stress and burnout. This also comes with monetary rewards as you no longer spend a small fortune each month just to get to and from work.

The Disadvantages of Hybrid Working

There is something intrinsically lost by being absent from the organisation you work for. Over time you cannot help but to feel nomadic, a lack of belonging, and a lack of connection to your organisation and their core values.

For some, it can also bring a real sense of isolation and loneliness. A disconnect from their colleagues and peers, a reduction in friendship groups and relationships.

This has a knock-on effect on our cities and high streets as demand drops and they become lifeless. This could result in businesses closing down, which in turn has a direct result in the loss of jobs for those staff.

Finally, the lack of leadership for new recruits who are hungry to progress through the ranks, and the lack of interaction and on the job training leaves the younger generation without the essential skills learnt by being present in the office.

Conclusion

My advice is to find a healthy balance, a place where you get the best from both ways of working. One solution that more companies are adopting is being present in the Metaverse in a virtual reality office. Here you can log in and be present with your colleagues and still enjoy the office jokes and interaction without the need to commute.

However, if you are not ready to dabble with augmented reality then my advice is to spend a couple of days a week in the office to benefit from and maintain all the things both home and away that I have highlighted above.

If you or your organisation is looking for further support in the hybrid working space, get in touch with our friendly team of experts here for our a free consultation.

Or, if you wish to get in touch with me directly, you can do so here!