During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hybrid working model saved many companies trying to stay alive amidst lockdowns and social distancing. Although the situation was unexpected and a bit chaotic, virtual collaboration tools allowed these businesses to remain productive through a challenging time. The circumstances proved that the hybrid work model could work, but it also highlighted the drawbacks and deficiencies involved with the model as it existed.
Now, after a trial by fire and a period of adjustment, many companies are integrating hybrid work models that provide more flexibility to their employees while simultaneously preserving the interactions that are vital for company engagement and culture.
The recent research bears out the success of the hybrid working structure:
- McKinsey studies show that most corporate executives have experienced a quantitative improvement in their employee’s productivity.
- Dimensional Research shares that 57% of employees would consider leaving their job if full-time office attendance was required.
- Fortune reports that three-quarters of large-business CEOs expect to decrease expenses related to real estate (office space) and travel expenses.
What does research tell us about the benefits of a hybrid workplace?
The seismic shift to hybrid work resulted in significant benefits for employees and employers. Recent studies reveal:
- Virtually all (99%) knowledge workers recognize the benefits of working from home, at least part-time. These include flexibility, no commute, and more work/life balance.
- 95% of knowledge workers are willing and eager to report to the office for team building or collaboration exercises and to cultivate peer connections.
- 53% of large corporations are planning to continue to reduce their office footprint, reducing costs.
How can organizations cultivate a thriving hybrid work culture?
Businesses often have legitimate concerns about preserving their culture and community when implementing flexible hybrid work models. Without lunchroom conversations or social opportunities, it can be challenging to facilitate the sharing of ideas and collaborative thought. Losing a sense of the company’s mission, goals, and culture can lead to productivity loss and higher attrition. Therefore, evolving into a permanently hybrid work culture must involve training, access, feedback, and empathy for struggles.
Maintaining the culture requires colleagues to deliberately work together and develop connections, whether they are in the office or speaking virtually. Your overall solution should facilitate easy interactions that would occur naturally in a traditional office.
Does the hybrid workplace positively or negatively influence employee engagement?
Overall, hybrid work environments are more effective than anyone ever expected. While many executives assumed that employee engagement would be challenging to maintain if employees weren’t in the office daily, experience and research have shown the opposite. A recent survey by Webex reported that 79% of knowledge workers said that their levels of engagement have remained consistent or even improved since they began working remotely.
We now understand that a hybrid workplace can improve employee morale, increase productivity and streamline business expenses. However, it is imperative that remote workers still have access to the same resources, documents, and critical information they need to perform their jobs and reach their goals effectively. KLONE helps organizations aggregate company knowledge into one comprehensive platform, providing relevant access via a few simple keystrokes to those who need answers. A genuinely functioning hybrid workplace is built on efficient knowledge sharing, documentation, and feedback.
The KLONE Organizer essentially “clones” your most valuable knowledge leaders by documenting and storing corporate information, best practices, training videos, and educational resources in one location. The KLONE Organizer engages your workforce, even remotely, to ensure they contribute recommendations, new ideas, performance observations, and to share other performance feedback. This feedback is the central ingredient to making more informed and better decisions.
Call today to learn more about developing a strategic and successful hybrid workplace with KLONE‘s expertise and guidance.