Hybrid workplaces are no longer just something to prepare for. The post-Covid trend has now turned into a reality for many companies, from small enterprises to multinational giants.
However, not everyone agrees when it comes to changing working models: every decision must be carefully weighed up, based on the specifics of the company and on a cost-benefit analysis.
Hybrid work benefits
If structured carefully, the hybrid workplace can turn into a serious competitive advantage. Here are the main positive factors.
1. Lower operating costs
The company can drastically reduce expenses by adopting a hybrid workplace model: in terms of utilities (electricity, internet bandwidth, heating/air conditioning, etc.), space (if the office is rented) and materials (from electronic equipment to simple stationery).
2. Lower costs for the worker
The home-office commute, lunch, coffee with colleagues and much more: being able to work from home during part of the week saves the employee money, mainly on small daily expenses.
3. Improved employee mood
Having more time for one’s own family and personal interests (due to the absence of the home-work commute) and having flexibile working hours (if the hybrid work is at the same time agile) create positive effects on the mood and participation of individuals, who are more autonomous in their daily lives.
This is then reflected in various areas of one’s working life, from health to productivity.
4. Higher productivity
A happy worker is a productive worker: a concept that we have often spoken about and that increasingly comes up in hybrid workplace analyses.
In addition to mental wellbeing, there is also physical wellbeing: people can save energy by avoiding time wasted on the journey to the office, and start working profitably without stress.
The disadvantages of hybrid work
We cannot forget the other side of the coin: the hybrid workplace can be insidious, especially if implemented without a well-defined guideline. Here are some disadvantages to consider.
1. Security hazards
Some sectors deal with the processing of very sensitive data, for which more structured IT security systems must be in place. In these cases, the transition to hybrid working must also include, with particular importance, the IT team and the corporate legal department.
2. Risk of burnout
Some people are more prone to burnout, especially on days when they work from home. It’s important to provide employees with all the necessary resources (also in terms of mental health) to create a perfect work-life integration.
3. Collaboration difficulties
Without adequate tools and/or wise managerial guidance, trust between team members can decrease, leading to communication difficulties and a decrease in productivity. In this article we have given some tips on how to improve collaboration in the hybrid workplace.
In conclusion, it is always important to thoroughly analyse your team and your company: only by understanding strengths and weaknesses will it be possible to implement the right working model.
