How to properly organize a large-scale hybrid office experiment
After the commercial real estate crisis and the shift to a remote work format, facility owners found themselves in an extremely difficult position. However, as the world emerged from the pandemic, many companies decided to re-establish office operations, but move away from the standard format. To this end, they have organized a large-scale experiment, which involves the use of hybrid offices.
Business owners hope that this form will help employees better adapt to the new realities of the world and reduce the stress of going to work after a long time spent at home. An important consideration for operating effectively in a hybrid office is organizing employees coming to the office. It is necessary to clearly plan what number of employees and when they should come to the office. For example, some people may work three days a week on the company premises and the rest of the time from home. Another part of the team goes out to the office twice a week. Separate attention in this type of activity is given to the safety of people, and various measures are introduced to prevent illness.
When interacting in a hybrid office, there are difficulties of their own. For example, many employees find it difficult to combine working from home and in the office, especially after interacting only remotely for a long time. And now they will have to re-organize their processes and get used to the team.
The advantage of working remotely was that in most cases it was not tied to a clear 8-hour schedule, it was more important to perform all tasks and communicate with employees and clients. In addition, thanks to this format, many people moved from large cities to more comfortable conditions for themselves. And now they will have to give up such flexibility in favor of rationed office work, even if not all 5 days a week.
According to a study by the company CIPD, among British working people surveyed 9.3% or 3 million people agreed to lower wages if they are offered to work fewer hours.
In addition, the survey found that 63% of CEOs plan to implement a hybrid format, but only 48% are considering flexible working hours for their employees.
For now, companies ask employees to come into the office 2-3 times a week and encourage those who are willing to give up the remote format of professional activity altogether.
In addition, not all companies are ready to restructure the workplace. The world has changed since the pandemic, and now more than ever, attention needs to be paid to making employees safer and more comfortable. Then the transition from remote to office work will be much easier to tolerate. For now, business owners need to prepare for a lot of resistance from the workforce-the return process will be extremely difficult and time-consuming.