Undoubtedly the coronavirus pandemic placed unprecedented pressure onto business in the UK and around the world. What’s remarkable is the extent to which, and speed with which, business adapted to new working conditions. Office workers were converted almost overnight into home workers, and lounges, dining rooms, and spare bedrooms across the nation found themselves converted into studies.
It’s highly possible that home-working will persist beyond the last vaccine being administered. A new report by Microsoft reveals that around nine out of every ten employees says that their business has adapted to ‘hybrid’ working. This is a term which might enjoy significant circulation in the near future. But what exactly does it mean?
What is Hybrid Working?
Hybrid working, basically means working in multiple places. You might do a little bit from home, and then a little bit more from the office. Tasks which don’t require coming in, like inputting data and composing reports, might be done at home, while meetings and reviews might be conducted in a centralised office. As a consequence, we might see the arrangement of a typical office changed, with more emphasis given to communal workspaces and meeting rooms.
Why is it Beneficial?
This way of doing things confers a number of benefits to both workers and the organisations for whom they work. And the case has already been made for many of these benefits, since most of the British workforce is now familiar with both home-working and office-working and can settle on an agreeable hybrid which incorporates the benefits of both.
So what are the benefits for workers? The Microsoft research identifies three as commonly-cited.
75% of workers reported that they were able to spend more time with their families. 79% claimed to be better able to strike a balance between home and work life. And 70% claimed that they had more time to invest in their personal well-being. The common theme here is time: working from home has freed up some of it in some areas (though in others it’s actually extended working hours).
There are also less direct benefits that come with working from home. If you’re having to commute less, then you’ll spend less time travelling. But you might find that you can then relocate your home somewhere further from your workplace – effectively swapping several half-hour commutes for a single hourlong one. This will vastly increase the options when it comes to relocating.
Businesses also stand to save when it comes to running costs. Fewer workers in the office, naturally, means less money spent on heating and electricity. Many businesses might also choose to downsize their premises, saving considerably on rent in the process. Its therefore not surprising that work from home policies in UK organisations have evolved in recent months, with 30% of businesses having recently adapted or updated an existing policy. With the move to working from home happening faster than anticipated for many businesses, seeking advice from an employment law service can make the transition to hybrid working smooth and avoid unwanted employee pushback. However, despite many businesses making the changes, 10% of UK businesses still don’t have a policy when it comes to working from home. This will need to be rectified – as the workplace of the future looks set to be a hybrid one.
