As employers start to think about returning their employees to the workplace, many are having discussions about what the workplace will be like once everyone returns.
Many large organisations have announced that they will permanently moving to what many are referring to as a ‘hybrid’ working model; allowing their employees to work partly from home and partly from their workplace.
There are various arguments about the benefits of this to both employers and employees. Many employers who previously believed that being in the workplace five days a week was the best way for employees to carry out their role most efficiently, have now changed their minds having seen little to no impact on the way in which their employees have carried out their roles whilst working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many employees are reporting that their mental and physical health has benefited from not having to spend time commuting to work during the rush hour in the morning and getting home late in the evening after a long day at work. They can start work earlier than normal given they do not have to commute, can take time out during their lunch break do some exercise and are able to enjoy more time with their families in the evening.
Whilst for many working from home has been beneficial, others have found it to be isolating and detrimental to the way in which they work and would prefer to be back in their usual workplace. Therefore, the hybrid model is being seen as the best of both worlds. Employees have the option to work from home one or two days a week but can be in their workplace every day if they prefer.
However, the hybrid model does not work for all job types and there needs to be continued thought and discussion between staff and employers about whether some other form of flexible working, may work instead. This can be done by way of staff surveys which can be anonymous or by holding open discussions.
Whatever the future of your workplace may look like, we can assist you in planning your organisation’s roadmap out of lockdown.