Hybrid working gives you the freedom to work at home, in the office, or elsewhere. In this post, we will explore the definition of hybrid working, how it works, and its benefits. We will also outline five top tips for a successful hybrid working experience.
At Argyll, we believe that you should be able to work without limits. We provide exceptional office environments and coworking spaces to support your hybrid working vision.
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Hybrid Working Definition
Hybrid working is a flexible arrangement that combines remote work with office-based work. It allows you to split your time between working from home, in other remote locations and in an office environment. The balance between these varies based on company policies and your role and preferences.
How Does Hybrid Working Work? 4 Types of Hybrid Working
There are four main types of hybrid work models, each with its own advantages. Here is an overview of each model with a list of advantages and disadvantages.
Fixed Hybrid Working
If you have a fixed hybrid arrangement, you will have a set schedule in which you work set days from the office and set days remotely. For example, you may work from the office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Advantages: This setup provides consistency for both you and your employer, making it easier for you and your team to plan in-person meetings and collaborate.
- Disadvantages: It limits when and where you work, this may be difficult for those who have changing child-care routines or other commitments.
Flexible Hybrid Working
If you have a flexible hybrid working arrangement, you will have the freedom to choose your work location on a day-to-day basis, depending on your tasks, meetings and personal commitments. For example, you may work from home on days when you need quiet focus and from the office on days when you have important meetings.
- Advantages: This setup gives you maximum flexibility and allows you to work around current circumstances. It can also improve work-life balance and job satisfaction.
- Disadvantages: It can cause confusion amongst teams, as your colleagues may not know when you are in or out of the office.
Office-first hybrid work model
If you have an office-first hybrid arrangement, your main work location will be in the office environment. However, you will have some flexibility to work remotely on certain days or under specific circumstances. For example, you may work from the office four days a week, and have the option to work from home one day per week if you choose.
- Advantages: You can benefit from consistent communication with colleagues throughout the week whilst still enjoying a level of freedom and flexibility.
- Disadvantages: This is the most limiting hybrid option, which may not suit those with personal commitments or varying needs.
Remote-First Hybrid Working
If you have a remote-first hybrid arrangement, you will mainly work remotely. However, you will be able to use an office as needed for collaboration and meetings. For example, you may mainly work from home and visit the office for client meetings or to use office resources.
- Advantages: You can choose to work from home or in any remote location. This gives you ultimate freedom when choosing your working environment.
- Disadvantages: You may experience isolation or feel demotivated working alone.
Other Factors to Consider When Hybrid Working
It is important to consider that companies have varying hybrid-working policies. Whilst flexible hybrid working and remote-first hybrid working give you the ultimate flexibility to work from anywhere, companies may still choose to set times that you must work between. Often this is noted as ‘core hours’ in your company policy or contract. For example, you may have the freedom to work remotely but a company may state that you must be logged on and working between the core hours of 10 am-3 pm. You may then have the choice to use ‘flexi-time’ on either side of these hours e.g. start at 8 am one day but 9 am another day.
What is the Difference Between Hybrid and Remote Work?
There are key differences between hybrid and remote work, listed in the table below.
| Hybrid Work | Remote Work | |
| Location | Ability to work at home, remotely and in an office. | No access to an office environment. |
| Office Presence | Access to in-person meetings with colleagues. | No access to in-person meetings with colleagues. |
| Schedules | May have set schedules. | More freedom with scheduling. |
| Access to Resources | Access to resources such as printers, meeting rooms and fast wifi. | No access to physical company resources. |
| Employee Autonomy | Some level of autonomy. | High levels of autonomy. |
| Company Culture | Allows personal interactions. | Relies on virtual communication. |
| Work-Life Balance | Some flexibility. | Ultimate flexibility *depending on ‘core hours’ |
The Benefits of Hybrid Working for Team Members
There are many benefits to be enjoyed when hybrid working. Here is a list of how hybrid working may benefit you and your business.
Better Work-Life Balance & Flexibility
Hybrid working gives you the chance to improve your work-life balance. In one study, 86% of people said that the time saved commuting to an office each day improved their work/life balance. Perhaps you want to work from home and start later, so you can train at the gym first thing in the morning, or maybe you want to finish at 3 pm so that you can do the school run? Hybrid working gives you this flexibility.
Increased Productivity
Studies have shown that hybrid working can improve productivity. It has been found that 74% of people feel more productive when hybrid working. Plus, 85% of people in this study said that hybrid working improved their job satisfaction.
A Sense of Trust
Hybrid working gives you more autonomy over your working week. It is estimated that 31% of hybrid workers have full autonomy, and the rest who are required to be in the office on certain days of the week, have partial autonomy. Autonomy builds trust. And 85% of people believe a high-trust work environment supports them to perform at their best.
The Benefits of Hybrid Working for Businesses
Making the switch to a hybrid working model also offers many benefits for businesses. Here is a list of ways hybrid working can support your business’s growth and thrive.
Hire Workers Worldwide
Hybrid working enables you to hire workers worldwide. This gives you and your business access to high-level talent and opens the scope for leading-edge perspectives. You can employ those who live in different counties and countries and outline a hybrid working agreement. For example, if in a different county, they may visit the office one week per month. Or, if they are based abroad, they could set up new partnerships overseas.
Attract & Retain Talent
Hybrid working allows you to attract and retain top-level talent. In fact, a recent study showed that 43% of professionals said they would not accept a job that didn’t offer hybrid working. By increasing flexibility in the workplace, you can attract a wider pool of talent and improve employee engagement and satisfaction, which leads to higher levels of retention.
Save on Real Estate and Office Costs
You can also save substantial amounts of money on office costs. Initiatives such as hot-desking, in which employees choose from available desks when they are in the office, are thought to save up to 40% of wasted space in office environments. Hybrid working also allows you to grow your team and business without having to pay huge upfront costs to expand the size of your office.
Environmental Benefits
Hybrid working allows you to have a smaller office space for a greater number of employees. This lowers energy consumption and reduces the amount of materials and resources used, which can lower your impact on the environment. It also contributes to lower C02 levels as when employees work from home, they use less energy to travel.
Potential Disadvantages of Hybrid Working
Some potential disadvantages must be considered when choosing or employing hybrid working agreements in the workplace, especially when working fully remotely. These include:
Less Collaboration Opportunity
There is less opportunity for in-person collaboration and innovation. However, this can be overcome by using various hybrid working models that require a set amount of time in the office. Plus, working in remote locations can also offer the potential for new collaborations.
A Need for a Dedicated Workspace
Hybrid working may not be for you if you need a dedicated workspace. However, you may instead benefit from an exclusive, private office space.
Not Suitable For All Industries
Hybrid working may not be suitable for all industries. In manufacturing, healthcare, and construction, employees are often required in person to carry out tasks such as quality-assurance checks, patient care, and inspecting builds.
Similarly, in the energy and transportation sectors, engineers may need to be on site to inspect infrastructure, and drivers and warehouse workers may need to be present to manage distribution. However, hybrid working is suitable for most office-style roles.
Can Require Organisation and Maintenance
Hybrid working may require an extra level of organisation and maintenance. Initiatives such as hot-desking may be used to save office space when a proportion of employees are working from home.
Best Practices for Successful Hybrid Working
Here are five top tips for a successful hybrid working experience.
Keep a Sense of Consistency
Whichever hybrid working arrangement you use, keep some level of consistency. This will support you and your team to effectively manage projects and maintain workflow. This may be as simple as agreeing to be in the office every Wednesday or working in different locations but always being online between the hours of 10 am-3 pm.
Embrace Clear Communication
Communicate your work schedule to your line managers and relevant colleagues. This will enable you and your team to use your time productively rather than wasting time trying to figure out each other’s calendars. It may be as simple as writing a message in a shared ‘flexitime’ or ‘working from home’ channel/group message to let each other know when and where you will be working for the week ahead.
Ensure You Have The Right Setup
Make sure you have the right equipment and setup for your role. You may need to invest in a new laptop with a larger screen or portable ergonomic equipment so that you can work efficiently and comfortably at home or in remote locations.
Make An Effort With Your Team
If you spend the majority of your time working from home or remotely, make an effort to get to know your team members by visiting the office on a regular basis or organising occasional staff socials outside of work. This can build a sense of belonging and trust in a team, which fosters a positive working environment.
Embrace Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are effective, clear, clutter-free zones for focused headspace. Embrace exceptional coworking spaces and enjoy inspiration, clarity, and collaboration while working remotely. Choose from stunning spaces in a variety of locations next to your favourite restaurants and bars and get the most out of hybrid working.
Concluding Thoughts – Hybrid Working
Hybrid working is the ultimate way to enjoy flexibility and freedom. There are four main types of hybrid working arrangements, including fixed, flexible, office-first, and remote-first hybrid working, each with its own advantages. A hybrid workplace offers many benefits for both you and your business, including savings on office costs and a reduced environmental impact.
At Argyll, we believe in providing exceptional offices that create a positive working environment. Our collection of stunning spaces includes inspiring coworking spaces to perfectly complement your hybrid working schedule.
Enjoy the flexibility to work from Argyll’s 11 stylish shared workspaces in iconic London locations – as often as you’d like, for as long as you like, from £375 a month.
Contact our attentive team to find out more.
