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8 Key Advantages of Hybrid Work You Need to Know

Oct 29

3 min read


Image Credit: Arcc Spaces

As recent news emerges about Amazon and Grab mandating a five-day return to the office, opinions on both sides of the workplace debate—whether full-time office or hybrid—are growing stronger. While many companies are now reconsidering their work style policies, we would like to highlight the benefits of hybrid work, which combines both office and remote working.


1. Increased Employee Engagement and Productivity


Productivity is highly correlated with employee engagement and satisfaction. As most of today’s organizations measure productivity by outputs produced and results achieved, instead of hours spent in the office like in the past, it is unquestionable that hybrid work arrangements create a favorable environment for improved employee engagement. Employees can schedule their days around their work requirements and make sure all performance metrics are achieved, while balancing personal responsibilities like parenthood. This flexibility gives higher morale and, consequently, increased productivity.


2. Lower Real Estate Costs


Hybrid work allows employees to work in the office 2-3 days per week, with the remaining days spent remotely. This setup means that only half of the workforce occupies the office daily, enabling a rotation of desks rather than assigning a specific desk to each employee for five days a week. With this flexibility to rotate desks in a free-seating arrangement, the total headcount does not need to match the number of desks in the office, allowing for fewer desks overall. This approach enables companies to rent small office spaces, thus lowering monthly rental costs while maintaining the same headcount. This cost-saving benefit is particularly valuable, as office space is one of the highest operating expenses for most companies.


3. Appeal to Top Talent


Today’s talent demands more than free lunch or massage facilities in the office; their top priority is the flexibility of where and when they work. Top talent makes it clear that if a company does not offer hybrid work, they are not willing to work at organizations lacking trust. Numerous recent polls indicate Millennials and Gen Z seek remote or hybrid work policies and are even willing to take a salary cut to enjoy a better work-life balance.


4. Improved Mental Well-Being


Allowing employees to work from anywhere and at any time helps enhance mental health. This could mean going to the gym during lunch hour and staying a little longer in the office afterward to balance things out, or arriving at the office early to complete tasks by 4 p.m. to pick up kids from school. Better flexibility means improved mental health and happier employees, thus more productivity at work.


5. Shift to an Output-Oriented Culture


The old days of focusing on time spent in the office are long gone, and the majority of companies prefer their employees to generate quality output and satisfactory results, instead of being in the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. but showing poor performance. The shift is clear: time spent in the office is no longer a true indicator of performance, but output is.


6. Better Time Efficiency


Hybrid work allows employees to do more focused work with minimal distractions, which can happen frequently in the office due to coworkers or unnecessary meetings. Thus, employees use their time more efficiently. Reduced commute time also frees up hours that can be used for more productive purposes.


7. Reduced Carbon Footprint


A study by IWG and Arup revealed hybrid working can reduce carbon emissions by up to 70%. This is mainly because of the reduced commute and associated carbon generation. The number is significant, as a simple change in work style can have a great environmental impact. Sustainability alone proves why hybrid work is the future, apart from its various benefits.


8. Decreased Operational Expenses


Just like rental costs, when employees come to the office on alternate days, other operating expenses like maintenance, utilities, furniture, stationery, and similar items shrink. The smaller the office, the lower the operating costs, which can save thousands of dollars every month.


 

Overall, we think hybrid work has greater advantages than a full-time return to the office. Decreased costs, improved employee satisfaction, and better performance help boost a company’s profitability. While returning to the office 5 days a week might have benefits like more time with coworkers, hybrid work balances office and remote settings to reap the advantages of both.

If you wish to explore any coworking spaces in Singapore, please don't hesitate to contact us at +65 8043 6481 or via email at singapore@oflexco.com. We offer complimentary consultations and would be delighted to arrange a tour for you.

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