An engaging workplace model will help you work towards a sustainable and smart office workplace. Many Business leaders and owners are of the opinion that the best place to do work is in an office and want to get back to having one space where their team can connect, engage and share accountability, however most employees are comfortable working at home and are only looking to move back into an office space if they can still have a optimum work/life balance. In order to do this we need to create a work environment that not only allows employees to get their work done better and faster but also allows them flexibility in where to work, and sometimes even when to work.
The hybrid workplace model explained
The hybrid workplace model mixes in-office and remote work. It’s an ecosystem of employees working from remote locations, such as home or coworking spaces, and in the office. With this work model employees enjoy greater flexibility and more independence, generally resulting in them being more engaged because of a better work-life balance. Employers also benefit when employees are happy as they are building a more happy, productive, agile, and loyal workforce.
How many days is considered hybrid working?
There is no fixed rule to be defined as a Hybrid work model. Companies however usually tend to follow the 3:2 model. Employees spend three days in the office and two days at home, and then alternate, ensuring efficient usage of office space. This hybrid work policy is easy to synchronize and allows many people to be in the office on the same days of the week. Employees will either follow an at-will policy where they choose which days they will come into the office or a manager will implement a scheduling policy which will determine which days employees go into the office.
How does the hybrid model differ from remote work?
The hybrid remote way of working is different from pure remote work. In a pure remote company, there may be no headquarters, and employees live and work in their chosen location (i.e. home, a cafe, or a coworking space). However, in a hybrid business, hybrid workers work partly from an office and partly from home. This means finding an office space that has a prestigious location, state-of-the-art technology, and flexible spaces for employees to work. Serviced Office Buildings such as MAX Serviced Offices usually offer multiple diverse workspace options as well as a all these other check boxes, for example, A prestigious address, being close to transport links like the Gautrain as well as several high-profile shopping centres. MAX Serviced Offices are equipped with Telephone apps, super-fast Wi-Fi and even have “get away” spaces (small soundproof booths) for employees to have privacy without having to leave the office.
How do you make the Hybrid work model a success?
Hybrid is not a one size fits all solution it’s getting the mix right in managing a two-tier workplace so that it becomes a smart office workplace. These are some of the skills you need to implement for successful hybrid working within your company:
- Productive communication: business leaders need to connect regularly to ensure employees and their teams remain connected. Teams need to be able to communicate openly and effectively, give and receive feedback and share information plainly and purposely. They need to have a coherent idea of what they are working toward and why it is crucial.
- Organisation and time management: The blurring of boundaries between office work and work at home can have a negative outcome for employees who could easily become distracted. Employees need time management training to minimise distractions by setting goals with boundaries in order to manage time and energy effectively.
- Collaboration: Firstly, teams need to have a clear sense of purpose and direction in order to work together collectively and effectively. This means being able to problem-solve and make decisions together. In a hybrid workforce, managers must ensure remote team members do not feel secluded or unseen and that both on-site and remote workers have the same opportunities, exposure, and accountability.
- Security: With employees working from home using their own networks, and devices, IT departments will need to focus on end-user education and security.
- Digital Literacy: Our devices have become the technology that helps us create a healthy work-life balance. Business leaders need to develop barrier-free connectivity that allow hybrid teams to communicate quickly and efficiently. They should also train employees to become more digitally literate, so they can put the digital tools at their disposal to the most effective use.
What makes MAX Offices perfect for Hybrid Working?
To successfully adapt to the hybrid working model your business needs a workspace that is flexible and supports your plan. Serviced office’s like MAX Offices are the answer to all those needs.
MAX Offices can offer a range of desking options for companies, with offices with up to 4 desks, or batches of unassigned hot desks for employees when they need to be in a office. This reduced footprint helps save costs, and allows people who are used to shared social settings the ability to mingle. Hot desks are especially useful to those that do not always require the full privacy of a dedicated office for their day to day work.
Instead of paying for a switch board, MAX Serviced Offices offers its clients a mobile app that will allow all their calls to be answered by the MAX Reception and transferred to their cell phones no matter where they are, meaning that they are not tethered to a desk. Most companies will see the rollout of such technologies as an expensive exercise but when its including in your rental it just make sense.
Some employers may not require a dedicated workspace for their teams but do require a space where they can collaborate, and have meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team-building drinks. MAX Offices has also created diverse spaces just for this, at MAX Offices you are able to simply book a boardroom for the day, or the week as long as you need, and they will even do the catering for you, MAX Offices also boast a beautiful rooftop venue with a view of the city and a bar for your team building functions, and year-end functions.
If your business is thinking of building a functional hybrid working policy it will be in your best interest to use a serviced office like MAX Serviced Offices as it allows you to combine the best parts of remote working and a physical office.
Get in touch with a MAX expert today, we have the answer to all your hybrid working requirements.