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The hybrid work model: time to retire six popular misconceptions

Since the coronavirus crisis began, many of us have adjusted to a hybrid work life that combines working from home with time in the office. But combining these two different styles of working can be a challenge, and employees and employers each have important roles to play to ease the transitions and dispel some common misunderstandings about how to be effective in a rapidly evolving working environment.

Below are some of the popular misconceptions about hybrid working that may be ready for retirement.

Hybrid working inhibits an organisation’s responsiveness
In fact, businesses have been able to be highly responsive to changes – for instance, when the pandemic’s second lockdown began, businesses were able to shift their workforces back to a work-from-home paradigm with relative ease. Hybrid work arrangements, moreover, allow companies to potentially shift the weight of their workforces in either direction – either toward more remote or more in-office hours – as needed as the pandemic and public policy play out.

Related: Working from home or the office: the new rules of managing hybrid teams

Organisations have also been quick to respond to new health and safety requirements to keep customers safe – with retailers pivoting to online and click and collect models, even if this wasn’t a core channel for them before. Aldi supermarket, for example, changed its business model to offer online deliveries in response to customers needing to isolate this year. The new service meant it could retain customers, rather than see them going elsewhere.

Hybrid working diminishes company culture
While it’s obviously harder to foster a shared workplace culture, many companies have found ways to strengthen professional bonds among team members through virtual social events and other activities. ServiceNow, the leading digital workflow company, has offered wellbeing activities to employees, their families and friends, including fitness events, engagement exercises that allow employees to share news and achievements, and an allowance that tangibly boosts an employee’s wellbeing.

A culture of innovation should be accessible to employees regardless of where they are working, says Nerys Mutlow, innovation evangelist at ServiceNow, and companies should make a point of demonstrating and sharing how individuals are being innovative while working remotely, which reinforces culture irrespective of physical location.

The hybrid work model impedes mental health and wellness
Many companies have been implementing mental health-focused support strategies. “We are mindful that the pandemic has taken its toll on people’s mental health and wellbeing,” says Susanna Yallop, chief people officer at Starling Bank. At the start of lockdown, for instance, the bank launched an internal employee initiative, called Never Home Alone, focused on mind, body, nutrition and personal development, through a series of online events and workshops. Ensuring support is in place and having a holistic approach to health, coupled with the increasing flexibility of hybrid working, can only improve mental health moving forwards.

It reinforces outdated gender norms
The many reports that working from home has turned back the clock on gender roles, because it leaves women to manage the bulk of childcare and housework, must be taken seriously. But as more working parents negotiate the proper balance of work and parenting, there is also more evidence that fathers are rising to the challenge. For instance, Mutlow says, she’s observed a noticeable increase in dads at school gates, which is an encouraging sign that more couples are challenging traditional stereotypes while providing healthy role models for children.

Hybrid working is a waste of office space
Top architects and designers are already well on their way to creating the post-pandemic office, including new models of desk density, ventilation and common work spaces. The changes will require getting used to, of course, but with change comes innovation, and, in the future, office space may be better used for creative collaborations and knowledge sharing.

Hybrid working requires complex technology
The Covid era has accelerated the demand for technology and collaboration tools that increase productivity, engagement and customer relationships. The digital workflows platform provided by ServiceNow, for instance, has shown that digitising processes makes employees’ jobs easier, which leads to higher levels of workforce engagement and productivity. Those digital innovations have also enhanced the safety of the office environment. Mutlow says: “We’ve created applications to manage the workplace environment safely and we ensure we educate and disseminate the information about what is needed before going into the office, so employees are mentally prepared about what to expect.” For instance, ServiceNow has built a suite of return-to-work applications that enable employees to check-in on their mobile the day before coming into the office and tell employers if they have any symptoms, and book a desk.

“It’s important,” Mutlow adds, “that when people do return to the office that they know it’s safe.”

ServiceNow gives you the power to make work, work better – no matter the circumstances. So employees can be productive, wherever they are. Learn more at servicenow.co.uk