Hybrid Workforce Model As the world slowly goes back to normal post-COVID, employers are meeting some resistance with employees who have gotten used to working remotely from home. In fact, some employees are flat-out quitting their jobs instead of going back to the office.
So what can employers do to stop losing employees?
Consider utilizing a hybrid workforce model. In essence, this is a combination of using both remote and on-site employees. Here are some of the benefits:
Flexibility for Employees
A happy workforce is a productive workforce. Forcing people to do something they don’t want to do is a guaranteed morale-killer. And sometimes, no matter how you attempt to sell it, your employees still won’t be happy. The solution is as simple as one word: choice.
By giving your employees the choice to either work from home or back in the office, they’ll be more inclined to stay with you. A lot of employees prefer the hybrid working model. It doesn’t have to be a simple binary one-or-the-other option, either. Assure your employees that they can come into the office whenever they need to, or just work from home if they want. Utilizing a hybrid work schedule and giving employees an option can help improve morale.
Accountability for Employers
A big concern from some managers is, “How will we know our employees will keep working?” Well, if you force them back into the office and they quit, they definitely won’t be working. Employers and managers can still set deadlines, goals, and objectives for employees to meet.
Additionally, consider using “check-in” days. Managers can set up appointments for certain employees to come into the office, sit down, and discuss current or future projects. This could be as often as once a week, once a month, or once a quarter. Managers and team leaders get the accountability they need, and employees get the freedom they want to work remotely.
Accessibility for Potential New Hires
Job applicants nowadays might be looking for the option to work from home. Looking forward to the future, the latest surveys reveal that as many as 36.2 million Americans will be working from home by 2025. A business that doesn’t utilize a hybrid workforce model could alienate that huge number of potential employees.
Going forward, when posting a new job listing online, companies should consider adding in key phrases that reflect a hybrid workforce model. For example, “Option to work from home” or “Ensure work/life balance by working from home.” Seeing something like that might be the push a potential applicant needs to click “Apply Now!”
Reduce Costs
Of course, this all goes without even considering the huge reduction in costs that can occur when shifting to a hybrid workforce model. Less employees in the office mean employers can downsize on office space, lowering rental and/or leasing costs. Smaller office space means less energy consumption, a bonus for going green! Employees are commuting less to work, spending less on gas, and reducing exhaust emissions.
Employees might also continue working at home if they have a case of sniffles. This means less use of sick days. This would also mean that employees won’t be spreading next winter’s cold bug through the office.
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with a hybrid workforce model. Businesses need to take into consideration the increased need for cybersecurity employee training, and IT infrastructure. The culture of the company must resonate and synchronize with the very idea of the workforce model in order for it to succeed. Leaders and managers have to encourage employee development to make sure everyone has the skills needed to succeed in a hybrid workforce.
But the benefits of going to a hybrid workforce model are plain to see.
It’s the way of the future. And all businesses and business owners should realize that if they aren’t looking ahead, they are going to be left behind.
