What is hybrid working? benefits, disadvantages, and tips

In the wake of the pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in attitude towards hybrid working worldwide. This is largely due to remote working arrangements adopted during the pandemic, where companies and individuals were expected to work virtually from home for their own health and safety. 

Since then, many organisations have been urging employees to return to the office so colleagues can interact within a physical environment once more; however, many team members have grown used to the idea of working remotely and much prefer having this option after having to adapt – hence the concept of hybrid working.

Over the past year, it has indeed been shown that more people want flexibility in their jobs, making work-life balance one of their top priorities when considering new opportunities. This makes organisations and companies offering flexible or hybrid working models more attractive to a wider variety of candidates. In this article, we will explore what hybrid working actually is, the pros and cons of hybrid work, and how you can negotiate for this flexible working model with your current employer or manager if this type of arrangement is beneficial for your general well-being and productivity levels. 

What is hybrid working?

A hybrid working model combines both remote work and physical work, giving team members more flexibility and control over their own working arrangements. In a typical model, they will have the option to divide their time between working from their physical office or workplace, and working from home or other location such as a coffee shop or coworking space. This gives employees the chance to enjoy the benefits of remote working, including increased autonomy and work-life balance, and the perks of in-person working, where they can communicate and collaborate with their colleagues in a physical space. 

What types of hybrid working models are there? 

Hybrid working can be adapted according to the organisation or company’s specific preferences. Some common examples of hybrid working are outlined below.  

Flexible hybrid working

This type of hybrid working is the most versatile option, where employees have complete reign over their choice of work from home and work from office days. This particular model can be beneficial for productivity levels and grant employees greater freedom; however, the unpredictability of how many team members are at home or in the office at any given time could be a concern for some employers. 

Split schedule

This model specifically allocates which days employees can work remotely or work from the office during the week. This could either be deployed across the whole team, by departments, or even on an individual basis. 

Rotational schedule

This schedule entails teams or departments taking turns working in-office and remotely on a rotating basis. This is mainly to ensure that there are always a number of employees available in the office, and usually to have necessary departments or teams in the same place so they can work together more effectively. These rotations may happen every few days, weekly, or even monthly depending on the company.

Remote-first or Office-first

Either of these models puts working remotely or working in the office first. If the default mode of work is remote, then employees can primarily work from home or another location, however there may be designated times or days when they are required or encouraged to come back to the office, such as for meetings. Office-first operates on the opposite basis, where employees are largely expected to work from the office, with some allocated time or days that they can work remotely. 

Benefits of hybrid working

There are numerous benefits of hybrid working, with key advantages that include: 

• Higher productivity levels: Employees can work more efficiently if they are situated in a place that stimulates their productivity and allows them to focus, whether this is in the office, at home, or at another location. 
• Enhanced work-life balance: Work and personal life can be more effectively integrated with hybrid working, where employees can fulfil important commitments, take care of their health and fitness, and spend more time with their family and loved ones.
• Greater flexibility and autonomy: Hybrid working gives employees more freedom over their work schedule and environment, leading to higher job satisfaction, increased motivation, and less stress. They will also feel more trusted and respected by their employers when given the choice to work remotely, resulting in greater company loyalty. 

Disadvantages of hybrid working

Of course, hybrid working also has its disadvantages and challenges. Some of these concerns include: 

• Burnout and increased workload: Hybrid working may cause some employees to work overtime and blur their work-life boundaries when working remotely. They may also feel pressured to be available at all times, leading to overwork and potential burnout. 
• Disconnection from colleagues: Communication issues may arise with hybrid working, where employees working from home may feel disconnected from employees working in the office, which could range from anything such as miscommunication to delayed replies. It may also be more difficult to fully engage with colleagues if not in the same physical space. 
• Lack of discipline: Some employees may find it challenging to manage their own time, prioritise their tasks, and stay motivated, meaning they fall behind on productivity.

Tips for how to negotiate hybrid working

Given the rise in popularity of hybrid working models, many employers are now open to the idea of adopting these practices in one way or another. The exact arrangement will depend on factors such as the company size, industry, job nature, and organisation. 

If you do not currently have hybrid work practices in your workplace but believe this might benefit your team and yourself as an individual, the possibility of negotiating for hybrid working should not be overlooked. Before you negotiate hybrid work schedules with your employer, however, you should consider the following tips:

Is your company open to the idea of hybrid work?

Do you have a sense that your employer would react positively to the idea of a hybrid working model? If yes, go ahead and schedule the discussion. If you think they might still be unsure about hybrid work or they are not sure what it is, you could try floating the idea in a casual catch-up to get a better sense of their thoughts, then you can steer the conversation from there.

Is your work performance consistent?

If you are an employee that has demonstrated quality work, commitment, and time management to your employer over the course of working for them, it will make it a lot easier for you to broach the subject of hybrid working. Building trust and establishing good communication with your employer and team will prove that you can get your work done no matter where you are based, heightening the possibility of working remotely on some days. 

Do you have a plan for your hybrid work arrangement?

Before you approach any kind of discussion about hybrid working, you should ensure you have a clear plan in mind for how it would operate, as well as the reasons why it would be beneficial for you and the company. You can make suggestions for the type of scheduling that might work for you and your colleagues, and give examples of why this level of flexibility will boost company morale and productivity.

Find hybrid opportunities in Hong Kong

If your conversation with your employer does not go as planned, there are still plenty of opportunities available on the market that offer hybrid working models. If you are interested in finding a job that offers more flexibility and remote working possibilities, Michael Page can help. Our recruitment consultants can advise and provide the most suitable roles according to your preferences and profile. 

Discover Hybrid Job Opportunities with us today and get ready to enjoy the benefits of hybrid working.

Read More:

How to improve your work-life balance in 2023

5 clear signs a contracting career is for you

High-Paying Contract Jobs: Your Hong Kong Guide to the Best Opportunities