Hybrid Work Models | Paving the Way & Here to Stay

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people working remotely soared as businesses and employees tried to find ways to get their jobs done effectively and stay healthy at the same time. It took a lot of trial and error, and not every company got it right the first time. Some people worked completely remotely, while other companies had hybrid employees who worked some of their time at the office and the rest of their time from remote locations. Over time, some businesses got really, really good at finding a balance between offering flexibility to employees and ensuring their own steady and increasing growth. And now, post-pandemic, the professionals who were thriving in a hybrid workforce want to continue working remotely, and the data that’s available about efficiency, reliability and growth back them up.

Hybrid work, as defined by Microsoft, is when people work together, both online and in person, at any time from anywhere—at home, remotely or from an office. It is a way of combining traditional in-office work with offsite work and travel work, pulling together resources and capabilities from everyone on the team and linking them all together with modern technology such as video calls, connected workspaces, task management tools and more. Even when teams aren’t physically together in a building, they can work seamlessly and efficiently with the right tools in place.

There’s Proof in Numbers

Hybrid workplaces became an everyday concept for many after 2020, establishing themselves as the norm in our country and across the world. While it seemed like a new idea at the time, hybrid companies have been embraced by teams for many years, and now employees are lobbying to continue working these schedules. A recent ADP survey of 32,000 workers reports that 64% would even consider quitting if asked to return to the office full time. That number is staggering, and it’s large enough to make employers take a second look at hybrid teams and how they might be able to successfully implement flexible solutions for their employees that will also be beneficial to their businesses.

In addition to employee satisfaction in the hybrid workplace, there are other factors to consider when it comes to implementing a permanent hybrid office. In research conducted by Boston Consulting Group and Scoop Technologies Inc. among 554 public companies employing 26.7 million people, it was found that fully flexible firms (firms in which employees are either completely remote or allow employees to choose when they come to an office) increased sales by 21% between 2020 and 2022, on an industry-adjusted basis. These growth rates can be attributed to the ability of businesses to hire faster and from a wider geographic area, with higher rates of employee retention.

Benefits of Hybrid Work

You may have heard arguments against hybrid work models from those who support a more traditional office setting. They feel strongly about requiring employees to be physically present at the office during their working hours in order to efficiently accomplish tasks and assignments. But consider all the benefits of hybrid and remote work they may be missing out on. Here are a few that can affect productivity, employee morale and engagement:

• Fewer coworker interruptions. With more time to focus on tasks, employees are more efficient and able to complete tasks more quickly.

• Reduced costs for businesses. Companies are able to reduce costs in office space, utilities, supplies and more when employees adopt a hybrid work model or when they work remotely full time.

• Improved work-life balance. Not only can employees get more done during their working hours, but they save valuable commute time. Plus, with their added efficiency, they are able to give themselves more family time and downtime after their work is done.

• Companies get a broader talent pool. No more fishing in a small pond! If your business supports a hybrid work model, there are no geographical restrictions on hiring, so you’ll have a better chance of getting top talent to choose you. And that means you’ll be giving your employees great teammates.

• Increased trust. Employees have shown that they can handle the responsibilities of hybrid work. From managing their workload to putting in the hours and completing projects on time, they have proven more than capable, and your confidence in them strengthens your relationship, creating loyalty and increased trust.

• Better mental health. According to Psychology Today, hybrid work and mental health go hand in hand, citing that hybrid employees tend to exercise more, sleep the recommended amount, eat healthier foods and generally have a better sense of well-being.

How to Keep Teams Connected in a Hybrid Work Setting

With all the benefits that come with a hybrid workforce, you might be asking yourself: What’s the catch? There’s no catch, but there are a few steps you’ll want to take to make sure your teams stay connected. Managing hybrid teams involves the distance factor, and because everyone on your team isn’t face-to-face every day, it’s important to proactively reach out and make sure everyone is connected and in contact on an ongoing basis.

The creative professionals at Hallmark Business Connections know that an important part of your business is making sure your team is happy, healthy and ready to take on the challenges that work throws at them every day. That’s why it’s important to keep them engaged along the way, so of course we’ve come up with a list of ideas that will help you do exactly that. Here are a few ideas to increase employee engagement on a hybrid work team and make sure everyone feels included, involved and integral to team projects:

Schedule morning meetings with coffee or breakfast. Add a bit of fun to a morning meeting by turning it into a breakfast meeting. Invite everyone to bring their favorite breakfast and drink so you can all nosh while you knock out important business. It’s a great way to get people chatting, lighten the tone of meetings and wake teams up when it’s early.

Celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Be sure to remember every employee on their special days, those who are in the office all the time and the ones you may not see as often. Hallmark Business Connections has Employee Birthday Cards and Work Anniversary Cards to help you celebrate your team members and let them know just how much they mean. For meaningful work anniversaries, retirement and other big occasions, don’t forget to pair your greeting with a lovely fresh cut floral bouquet from Hallmark or a delicious, handcrafted box of gourmet chocolates by Christopher Elbow. Your gift will make a positive impression and remind everyone that they are part of a cohesive team.

Plan an open coworking session for larger projects. Think of this as a live brainstorm or working session where participants log on to your meeting app of choice, and without a structured meeting schedule, you work together on a specific project or portion of a project. It’s a low-pressure way to get that face-to-face conference-room feeling, even though you’re all in different places. You’ll stay connected by putting on your teamwork hat, and you’ll challenge team members to think on their toes for a quick, problem-solving session.

Lift up employees during tough times. Especially if you have employees who are working a hybrid schedule or you don’t see them often, it’s important to let them know you’re thinking of them during stressful or difficult times. Hallmark Business Connections has appropriate cards for Sympathy, Encouragement, Care and Concern, Pet Sympathy and more so you can let employees know they are on your mind no matter the situation that arises. Or use our Mail to One service to personalize for a single recipient; then Hallmark Business Connections will stamp and mail it for you.

Host a virtual event. Want to treat your team to a Friday afternoon teambuilding sesh? How about yoga or Family Feud or movie trivia? Elevent and similar sites offer a wide variety of virtual options for teambuilding that are engaging, interesting and more than a little bit entertaining. If you’re looking for something fun or want to plan a virtual ice-breaker event for your hybrid office team, this one might be right up your alley!

Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay

As hybrid work becomes the norm for more companies everywhere, it is important for leaders to prioritize keeping teams connected and engaged when they are not physically in the same office space. Whether it’s across town or across the globe, without a focused effort to stay connected, it’s easy to lose touch and stumble into miscommunication and a feeling of disjointedness among your teams.

Equally important are employee engagement, career development and mentoring, and it’s key to ensure that every employee—in-house and remote—has the same opportunities to grow and thrive in their work environment. You want your business to be connected to all the talented and enthusiastic employees who are working remotely, too, so be sure to offer them opportunities to expand their learning whenever possible. After all, a hybrid work environment “works” the best when everyone is connected and on the same page.

To learn more about nurturing your workforce and employee appreciation strategies, read Sharing the Love With Your Employees in 2024.