There’s a new kid on the block, and its called hybrid working. Have you heard of it? It’s not entirely new, per se, but it’s a term getting its time in the limelight and one you will continue to hear more of following lockdown.

What does Hybrid Working mean?

Hybrid working involves a workforce that is split between working remotely and working in the office, allowing employees the choice as to where they would like to work.

Following the extended working from home period that many professionals endured throughout lockdown, businesses have recognised their teams’ ability to work away from the office, and employees have recognised the benefits of doing so, such as saving on the time and cost of travel. Many have re-evaluated the need to sit in traffic for prolonged periods of time when they could instead spend that time working or with family if they were to work from home!

With this in mind, a recently published study indicates that a significant 77% of UK employees say that a mix of office-based and remote-working is the best way forward following COVID-19. But what does a rise in hybrid working mean for your workspace?

1. Technology is more important than ever

A hybrid workforce requires more from your technology than a fully remote or fully office-based workforce does. It means that all hybrid working employees need sufficient technology at home and in the office, and both need to work succinctly in order for teams split between office and home to be able to communicate effectively!

Video conferencing and presentation software are particularly important when it comes to the quality of your communications between employees and also clients, as virtual meetings are set to become more common following lockdown and COVID-19.

Technology consultancy, Clever Association, explained to us that it’s not just about making investments in individual pieces of software either, but instead making sure that all of your workplace technology integrates together to ensure a seamless and easy process!

2. The Purpose of the Office is Changing

It’s clear that many workers can carry out their roles without the office, to some extent, but it doesn’t mean that the office is no longer important. There are still many things that cannot be achieved without an office, particularly in terms of company culture, collaboration and creativity! The office helps to bring teams together and give employees a sense of purpose, so it’s time to redefine the office and make sure it focuses on its purpose.

Making updates and alterations to your floor plan and furniture can help to bring your workspace in line with the future of hybrid working, prioritising the community of the office as opposed to individual desk stations for 9-5 working. Consider replacing some of your fixed desks with collaborative tables, booths and soft seating; furniture that still facilitates working in the office but in a less formal way. Give your employees a reason to choose the office!

3. More Investment into the Home Office

Having an increased number of employees working from home means that the quality of the home office is now in the interest of the employer. Having spent decades researching the importance of ergonomic furniture and its effect on the long-term health and wellbeing of employees at work, we now need to extend this knowledge into the home office, and what was once the responsibility of the individual, is now also in the interest of the business.

More companies are investing in a WFH solution to ensure that their remote workers have the furniture and technology they need in order to work just as effectively from home, as they would in the office. With less employees in the office at any one time, budgets for workspaces are being split between the office and employees’ homes. According to HSE, ‘as an employer, you have the same health and safety responsibilities for home workers as for any other workers’.

With this in mind, it’s worth taking the time to virtually assess your employees’ home workstations. You might choose to set aside a budget in order to equip employees with desks and chairs that don’t compromise on ergonomics and functionality.

We’ve developed a WFH furniture solution whereby you can purchase desks, chairs and laptop stands that are perfect for enhancing the home office. Get in touch to view our options!

Hybrid working is going to be a term we see more and more of going forward, and it should be perceived as a positive change in many ways. Giving employees the option to choose where they work is going to help lead towards greater job satisfaction, happiness and wellbeing, as a result of greater productivity and a healthier work-life balance. But in order for it to have the desired benefits, it’s important to consider the points mentioned in this post!