As Covid-19 vaccines continue to roll-out, many teams that have been working from home are preparing for returning to the office or some form of hybrid work model that will have them coming in on specific days. While other companies continue to eye working remotely after the Covid-19 pandemic clears, people are left wondering… What does a hybrid work model realistically look like?
Our team of experts have gathered information from across multiple industries, interviewed company leaders, and predicted trends that can help alleviate the mystery surrounding hybrid work models. Here are some key takeaways to keep you informed so you and your team members can handle this new era of work together.
- Employees on some teams can schedule work from home days, but not on Monday and Fridays.
- For offices that have already reopened, Thursday is becoming the most popular in-office day.
Result: There will be a high demand for office spaces, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces within the work enviornment. Flexible scheduling will be key for ensuring a hybrid model’s success.
- Some companies are concerned remote workers could end up as “second class corporate citizens”. Why? They are concerned remote staff could fall behind in promotions and pay.
Result: Some companies plan to track rates of advancement between onsite and remote team members.
- Many companies plan to return to offices after Labor Day for an enhanced work environment.
- Companies have experienced unwillingness to return to the office Monday through Friday from several key knowledge workers.
- The Engineering and IT workforce seem particularly concerned with fully remote, work-from-home options.
- Several companies have remarked work-from-home (otherwise called “WFH”) options are a requirement for several knowledge work categories
- Research has shown employees prefer some sort of work flexibility where they work. Why? Saves on full time childcare, caring for elderly parents, and improves overall physical health.
- An upcoming survey of 9,000 workers by Accenture PLC found 83% of respondents viewed a hybrid workplace as optimal.
- One company has slimmed down to one building from a four-building campus in Dallas.
Result: They will bring back 25% of remote employees onsite at least three days a week, 30% of the 7,500 staff will remain remote, and the remaining 45% will come into the office for collaboration sessions with peers only one or two days a week.
- Most leaders acknowledge that, in this new era of work, you will work on things such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at home and will come into the office to collaborate with a team.
- We found one unique approach from a company that plans to give the option to employees to come into the office or remain remote. They are providing the staff with memberships to co-working spaces near them.
Regardless of the approach your company takes with returning to the office, we hope that these key areas will help you and your team prepare for the work environment changes ahead.
Interested in retaining the best talent for your company as the future of work continues to evolve? Our experts are ready to help assist you in discovering how so you are not alone in handling the new era of work. Check out our 90-Day Nurture Program as well to ensure your talent feels heard as you transition back into the office.