“As per a recent survey, over 87% of employees want to work from home at least one day of the week. 68% of American workers say the ability to work remotely, and on-site is the perfect work model for 2022”.
The impact of COVID-19 wasn’t just on today’s businesses but also on the minds of employees behind these businesses. The pandemic made employees rethink work/life balance and the importance of family time. Looking beyond traditional 9 to 5 jobs, employees now want to work on other aspects of their lives that were often ignored.
“The Great Resignation” is a prime example of employees prioritizing their health and well-being over work. Over 53% of employees agree that a people-first approach should be an immediate priority for employers.
The hybrid work model was initially implemented to carefully bring people from two years of remote work to the office once again. What was possibly a temporary solution is here to stay. Since this model does not limit the office to the four walls, it creates an ecosystem that is deeply connected and productive together. Let us examine if a hybrid work model can be the potential future of work.
Employee Satisfaction = Employee Retention
A 2021 report pointed out that 73% of employees want a hybrid workplace as it increases job satisfaction and promotes their well-being. It is common knowledge that job satisfaction can have a direct impact on employee retention and hence, should be taken care of.
With attrition rates peaking in most sectors, employee well-being should turn an immediate priority to retain employees because attrition can damage the financials of a company as well. Another report pointed out that two of the fastest-growing priorities since the start of COVID were flexible work arrangements and work-life balance for employees. This makes the hybrid model an absolute necessity for organizations planning to create a future-proof workforce today.
Happiness is the Backbone of Productivity
Before the implementation of this model on a larger scale, managers often thought this model might affect productivity. However, a recent study indicated that about 82% of senior leaders agree that hybrid work has multiplied productivity in their organizations.
A recent survey backed this by proving remote employees are happier than those working from the office. This is because hybrid working brings the best of both worlds together.
The traditional work model didn’t allow flexibility, and remote working can cause isolation. Hybrid work, on the other hand, brings office socializing with flexible working from home. With this balance, employees can stay connected to the world while they continue to deliver their work. This leads to a generally happier mindset that increases productivity. For example, if somebody feels highly productive during the night, they can adjust their routine accordingly.
Operational Costs? No More.
As per an industry report, 31% of executives anticipate the need for less office space due to an increase in remote/hybrid workers. Much attention is being paid to collaborative hubs such as conference rooms, work-from-café models, and more.
Reduced real estate management would result in a drastic reduction in operational costs a company has to pay for day-to-day use. This can be counted as profit as well since any expense minimized is directly a profit to the company. The hybrid model also minimizes the amenities offered, and this is inspiring organizations to retain the hybrid work model in 2022.
Safety is a Priority
Although the pandemic is slowing down, health experts globally are yet to lift COVID protocols. This means employees need to be seated at a safe distance, occupancy limits have to be set, and overcrowding should be avoided. This would be an operational catastrophe since managers have to call different employees on different days, working on a variety of schedules at once.
A hybrid workplace can accommodate everything mentioned above and still be a long-lasting run. It has the power to create a safe working environment for everybody based on employee preferences that also fosters employee well-being.
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