We’re thrilled to have you back here at the Pathway Blog, and we’re excited to chat about today’s topic: hybrid work. 

Whether you’re new to this term or it’s been on your radar for a while now, we think it’s an important trend to have an understanding of. The modern workforce is one that is rapidly evolving, and hybrid work could be just what your company needs to keep up. 

It could also not be right for your organization, which is exactly why we’re here to lay out the pros and cons of hybrid work! 

What is Hybrid Work?

When your employees are allowed to work both remotely and in the office, you’re practicing a hybrid work model.

While some companies are embracing fully remote work models, and others are requiring all of their employees to work in-office at all times, hybrid work models make room for both options. 

We’re not here to tell you that any certain work model is the end-all-be-all “right choice.” Every organization has its own nuances and needs, which makes the idea that there are so many options a thrilling prospect! 

So what are the pros and cons of a hybrid work model? Let’s find out!

Pros of Hybrid Work

Flexibility and Work/Life Balance: Removing the commute from a person’s day and allowing them to spend more of their time at home can help free up a lot of creative and productive bandwidth. Rather than spending time getting ready to leave the house, preparing lunch, and leaving early enough to get to work on time, employees are able to spend more time with their families, resting, and preparing for their work day. 

Variety in Environments: One of the beautiful things about hybrid work is that you can experience the best of both worlds. With the ability to collaborate or meet in person and the freedoms that come with remote work, a company can maintain many of the benefits of office life while giving employees more independence. 

Lower Costs for Everyone: A hybrid work model can reduce costs for both employees and companies. With employees spending less time in the office, companies are finding they spend less money on utilities, and some can even thrive in smaller, less-expensive spaces. Employees are able to save money on transportation, food, and work attire. 

Cons of Hybrid Work:

At-home Distractions: While some employees’ productivity increases with remote work, others can experience the opposite effect. Whether it’s from other people around the workspace, household chores, or even a temptation to relax, distractions take on a whole new look outside of the office.

Management Difficulties: Keeping your team on task requires some extra steps when your team isn’t always onsite with you. Career development, project management, and mentorship are all things that will require protocols and new technology if you want to keep them consistent and efficient.

Technology and Security: When employees take technology offsite, a new host of issues will need to be taken care of. You’ll need to make sure your employees have up-to-date technology, and that their internet speed and consistency are sufficient for work. Privacy and security will also need to be factored in and improved when technology leaves the office. 

So how do you know if hybrid work is right for your organization?

This question can have a lot of different answers, but there are a few indicators that are inherent to hybrid work success: 

• Do your employees do the bulk of their work on computers?
• Do you have the budget to implement the tech needs required for hybrid work?
• Do your employees even want hybrid work?

If the answers to these questions are all yes, there’s a good chance your company could benefit from hybrid work. Be on the lookout for our next post, where we’ll outline some tips and tricks that mitigate some of the cons listed above and make for a more positive hybrid work experience!