The term hybrid work model is one of the most common terms that we hear in the last few years. Many people have only heard of this concept because of the pandemic. However, it is not a new concept in office interior design and has existed way before the pandemic. Even though the workforce in most countries can go back to the office, some companies will continue to go forward with the hybrid model. However, a large percentage of companies whose leases are ending are unsure if they should continue with a hybrid work arrangement. In this article, we will talk about the benefit of going forward with a hybrid work model and how an experienced office interior design company can help.
What is Hybrid Work Model
Before we dive into the benefits, let’s look at what exactly is a hybrid work model. There are some confusions on what it is because it can take on many different forms; a hybrid work model simply means a flexible work arrangement where some employees work in an office/ physical work location, while some work from home or any other place. It gives employees the flexibility to work from home and in the office. There are many ways a company can implement it based on what works best for their company and employees.
Benefits of a Hybrid Work Model
Increase in Productivity
Though the technology needed to implement a successful hybrid work model existed even before the Covid-19 pandemic, many companies are reluctant to implement it due to the fear of a decrease in productivity.
However, research and studies have shown that productivity did not decrease even when employees are working from home. In fact, in a study conducted by Cisco, six out of 10 (61.4%) believe their quality of work has improved, and a similar number (60.4%) have seen their productivity increase. This is most likely because instead of spending an average of 1- 2 hours on commuting, employees could use that time to work and respond to work-related emails.
Also, there are lots of distractions that are present in an office and employees find themselves engaging in unnecessary meetings and conversations a lot of the time.
Increase in Morale of Employees
With more and more companies implementing hybrid work arrangements, comparisons will become inevitable. Employees working in a work-from-office-only model will have lower morale when they have friends and family members who work in a hybrid office, this is because employees who work in hybrid offices have more work-life balance.
In addition, employees who must go to the office every day would feel that their company does not care about their well-being. Employees with lower morale are usually less productive, they tend to do the bare minimum required and take more sick leave; these factors would result in lower productivity.
Attracting Talents/ Retaining employees
Continuing from the previous point, employees who have lower morale tend to be less loyal to the company and they will not hesitate to leave the company if they are offered another job. A study conducted by IPS revealed that 37% of respondents would consider looking for another job if their employer requires them to return to the office on most days. In addition, companies that do not implement a hybrid work arrangement may lose out on attracting new talents to their competitors.
Potential Cost Savings
With lesser employees coming in the office at one given time, companies may choose to reduce their office size, this means that the amount for rent will be lower. Further, a smaller office will incur less electricity bill. In a year, these two items could add up to be a substantial amount.
How can an experienced office interior design company such as Ampersand help with the implementation of Hybrid offices?
While most companies implemented a hybrid work arrangement during the height of the pandemic, the setup of the office is not the most effective use of office space. For most companies, a good opportunity for them to rethink their office design is when their lease is ending. Since it would be the first time for most companies to consider a hybrid work model in their office interior design, it could be overwhelming as they do not want to make mistakes during the renovation phase that could be costly to the business in the future to rectify. Having helped companies implement a hybrid work model in their office interior renovation project, this is where we could help and prevent mistakes from happening.
We will work closely with our clients to find out their work culture, their vision for their new office interior design, and space requirements. We will first help them to evaluate if they still require the same amount of office space now that not every employee will be in the office at the same time. Reasons why they may need the same amount of space, may be due to their expansion plan or to convert the general office area into a collab area, discussion area, meeting rooms, or phone booths. We will also provide our clients with solutions to ensure that employees have space to keep their things now that they do not have a designated work desk.
We not only can help with the office interior aspect but also in the implementation of technology that is necessary for a successful implementation of a hybrid work model. For example, the technology used for booking desks and collaboration/discussion rooms.
Conclusion
If companies want to stay relevant, and retain and attract the best talents, having a hybrid work model is a must. If you need help to ensure your office is well-designed for a hybrid work model, please contact us at info@ampersandassociates.com.sg
