Hybrid Working: What You Need to Know

Is Remote or hybrid work right for me? While you may enjoy working from home, are you sure you want to do it full-time? A Hybrid work model could be the perfect solution for you...

Many businesses are giving their employees the option of hybrid working as part of the company culture as new ways of working continue to develop. Although many of us may not be familiar with this trend, it may be the best choice in a variety of circumstances. If you're deciding between full-time remote work, flexible work or hybrid work, there are a number of practical factors to consider that can assist you in making the best choice for your circumstances.

Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about hybrid working:

What is Hybrid Working?

The term "hybrid work" refers to a flexible strategy that allows employees to divide their time between working in the office and working from home. The degree of freedom in hybrid work varies.

Types of Hybrid Work Models:

Hybrid working is not new, but it grew rapidly after the Covid-19 pandemic, when many people worked from home for the first time. Here are four different types of hybrid work models:

The employee is occasionally based in an office.
The employee has fixed/set days in the office.
The employee prefers to be office based, with remote working allowed.
The employee works remotely mostly, with visits to the office for in-person meetings

To determine what hybrid work schedule is best for both of you, you should talk with your employer.

Are Any Jobs Being Advertised as Hybrid?

Many job postings now mention remote working, and more are beginning to use the term hybrid specifically, which is likely to increase over time. However, if you're looking for a hybrid workplace, you might want to search for the terms 'home-working' and 'remote working,' as well as the word 'hybrid,' to broaden your matches while the job market catches up.

The Top 7 Industries Hiring for Hybrid Jobs Right Now:

Many office-based jobs lend themselves to a hybrid working model because technology allows remote employees to access emails and work files from a distance. Following are some sectors where hybrid working may be an option:

Here are the top seven industries hiring for hybrid work:

If you want to be part of a remote team. Here are the industries that embrace a hybrid environment.

Sales
Project management
Computer and IT
Medical and health
Accounting and finance
Marketing
Education and training.

5 Benefits of Hybrid Work

Increased job satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency

Hybrid work can make employees feel more in control of how they work. There is evidence that this freedom enhances workplace happiness and employee satisfaction. Additionally, when you are content in your position, both your output and the quality of your work increase.

Money savings

It costs money to get to and from work. As a hybrid worker, you can save money on your train fare, gas, and parking fees by working from the office one or two days a week. Additionally, you'll spend less on lunches and your morning coffee. You also don't need as much of a collection of work supplies because you spend less time in the office.

Increased mobility

Most people decide to live close to their places of employment. Moving further away to be near friends or family or to improve quality of life has historically required finding a new job. Hybrid working hours give you increased flexibility on where you live. It might be more manageable to commute a little bit further a few times a week as opposed to doing it full-time.

Improved employee wellbeing and work life balance

Full-time employment at home or in an office can be lonely or distracting. While remote working reduces commute time and the pressure of arriving at work on time, some people may find it isolating, especially if they live alone. Increased loneliness over time may result in depression.

A hybrid workplace allows you to have in-person conversations, build relationships with new co-workers, and reconnect with old ones. A hybrid team can be good for employee engagement and overall employee experience. This is essential for maintaining mental health.

Maintains staff safety and health

There is less chance of spreading diseases when there are fewer people present. Less employees in the office space means a lower risk of infection. Some people prefer to limit their contact with co-workers' germs, for example during flu season. A hybrid workplace allows employees to choose whether to work onsite or remotely and empowers them to choose their exposure boundaries and limits.

Do I Have the Right to Hybrid Working?

There is no legal right to hybrid working as such. However, since April 2024 every employee has the right to make a statutory flexible working request from their first day in a job, and hybrid working is one of the arrangements you can ask for. You can make up to two statutory requests in any 12-month period. Your employer can still refuse, but only for one of the business reasons set out in law and after handling the request in a reasonable manner. See flexible working on GOV.UK for the full rules.

If you want to move to a hybrid working approach, you may need to put your flexible working request in writing to your employer.

How to Request Hybrid Working from Your Employer

A statutory request for flexible or hybrid working must be made in writing, either by email or letter (your employer may ask you to use its own form). Your request must include:

The date of your request.
A statement that it is a statutory request for flexible working.
Details of the change you want to make and the date you would like it to start.
Whether and when you have made any previous flexible working request.

You no longer have to explain how the change would affect the business, but it can still strengthen your request to mention:

How any effects on your team or the business could be handled.
The advantages of hybrid working for the business (e.g., cost savings, being able to take calls earlier or later in the day).
Advantages for the people you work with (e.g., being willing to work certain less popular shifts).

After you submit your hybrid arrangement request, your employer may invite you to a meeting to discuss it further. Make sure you're prepared to explain why you're requesting hybrid working and bring a list of business benefits with you.

Your request will then be reviewed by your employer, who must consult you before refusing it and must notify you of their decision within two months of receiving it, including any appeal, unless you agree to a longer period.

Disadvantages to Hybrid Work:

There are some drawbacks to a hybrid model for hybrid employees. The most significant is a lack of visibility. While you still get some face time with colleagues and supervisors through a hybrid meeting/Microsoft team, it isn't as much as when you work full-time in the office space. Some people are concerned that they will be passed over for raises and promotions because they don't know how to get their work noticed when they aren't in the office space every day.

It can also be difficult to communicate with co-workers in a hybrid work environment. Even if everyone is homeworking on the same day, asynchronous communication has its own set of difficulties.

What's Right for You?

It's not easy determining what a successful hybrid working looks like for everyone. Deciding between hybrid and being a full-time remote worker is a personal choice. It is critical to consider not only the impact on your professional and personal life, but also how your employer may or may not support you in achieving your career goals.

All indications point to hybrid working being here to stay. And many people have discovered that greater flexibility, not having to commute to work every day, as well as having more time for fitness, meditation, or other personal activities, has been extremely beneficial. So, if you think it's a good fit for your current or future role, why not try it?

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