Hybrid Work in 2023: Will It Be the Work Model of the Future?

During the COVID-19 crisis, many organizations had to find new work models for their employees in order not to stop their activity. Thanks to remote work, many companies, such as call centers, continued their activity by switching to the work-from-home model.

Despite the fact that two and a half years have passed since the pandemic broke out, most organizations continue to offer remote work for the majority of employees. Yet another is still working from the office. Consequently, questions are raised such as: will companies continue with the teleworking model or will they return to office work prior to the pandemic?

One model that answers all of these questions is the hybrid work model. In the case of contact centers, most agents prefer to telework instead of commuting to the office every day.

So is hybrid work the work model of the future? While it holds enormous potential for businesses and their employees, harnessing it requires a conscious effort by business leaders and workers alike.

Advantages of Hybrid Work

A hybrid work model is a win-win situation for a company and its employees. It’s a perfect balance between remote and office work. Here are five benefits of hybrid work:

1) Profitability

The hybrid work model allows companies to reduce costs, since only a few employees work from the office. Businesses can save money on operating expenses, such as less office maintenance, transportation costs, electricity, per diem, etc. Although some expenses are associated with remote work (tools and equipment), the expense is significantly less compared to full time in the office. Therefore, organizations can save enormously by opting for hybrid working.

A WorkInSync report indicates that a company with 100 employees spends approximately $50,400 per month; however, this can be reduced to about 14,790 per month with the hybrid work model. These numbers can vary quite a bit based on business size, location, and other factors.

2) Increase Productivity and Efficiency

The flexibility of working from home or anywhere else means a change of scenery that can increase employee focus and increase their concentration at work. Thus, those who work in a hybrid model can do so from the comfort of their home some days of the week, increasing their productivity and favoring a more relaxed environment. Research from Owl Labs found that hybrid employees were 22% happier than office workers.

3) Redefine Collaboration and Communication

The hybrid work model requires companies to embrace new technologies to interact with team members and across departments. If employees urgently need to talk about a topic, they can do so using digital tools. Thus, they do not need to visit the office for meetings and can collaborate and brainstorm anytime, anywhere, ensuring better collaboration and efficiency.

4) Better Work-Life Balance

Working from offices requires employees to get to the workplace on time and make long commutes. With hybrid work, workers come to the office occasionally; consequently, they can spend more time with their family, even on workdays.

Hybrid work reduces stress and prevents burnout, which is a boon for agents as they mostly work to tight deadlines. Furthermore, employees can choose their work hours and enjoy the rest of their free time studying, attending social events or meeting friends. LinkedIn’s ‘Future of Work 2021’ study shows that approximately 86% of professionals surveyed think hybrid work has a positive impact on work-life balance.

5) More Efficient Workplaces

Hybrid work means having fewer employees in the office on any given day. In this way, companies can create efficient spaces for workers who carry out their tasks from the office, such as pre-designated desks.

In addition, the additional space can be used for leisure or relaxation rooms, meeting rooms, etc., making the workplace more comfortable and efficient.

Communication Is the Key

A hybrid work model means that employees will work from the office and home. At this point, it’s important to remember that communication can solve many problems in a hybrid work environment. Thus, creating a communication channel where team members can participate and discuss work-related issues is essential for creating healthy teams and improving collaboration between call center agents.

Conclusion

Hybrid work has its challenges, but it has many advantages. Learning to manage this model can improve the productivity and efficiency of a team. It also leads to higher job satisfaction, since most employees prefer this model or teleworking. However, it is convenient to hire trained and talented agents to take advantage of the benefits of what can become the work model of the future.