Many say that hybrid workspaces are the key to allowing companies to keep up with the changing world, especially during the pandemic.
Companies have also started to look into what hybrid setup works for them and find ways to deal with the downsides of hybrid work. Others are still pushing back because they believe it is not for them and their employees. A few are still watching to see if hybrid workspaces can make a difference, as some industries cannot fully embrace this work setup.
However, while the movement for hybrid workspaces continues to grow, employees are divided over their benefits and impacts. Some say it is the best work setup to gain a work-life balance, and others say it is not as ideal as people think it is because having a remote element in work is not for everyone. A few are still open to see what else will change in the hybrid workspace setup.
Considering these stances, how would it be fair in your workplace? Here are the arguments you may hear from your employees regarding a hybrid setup for work:
Pros
Better Productivity
Some employees would find a hybrid setup ideal because they will be able to work efficiently outside the workplace and produce high-quality work. These employees find it hard to work in a busy workplace, like introverts and those who prefer to work on their own. Give these employees the resources they need for the project, and they will be able to do it easily in their chosen work environment. Obviously, if you do decide to implement hybrid working within your company you will need to make sure you have an acceptable use policy in place if your employees are using technology that you have provided them. You’ll be able to find an aup policy example online provided by companies like FRSECURE.
Reduced Costs
It can also be cheaper to work in a hybrid workspace, especially for those who live far away from the office. They don’t have to worry about paying transportation fees every day, as well as eating out in expensive restaurants. They can cook their meal at home and just pay a little extra for their internet and electricity to work efficiently at home. Even these costs can be kept to a minimum, by shopping around and looking for the best xfinity internet plans and electricity providers in the area, to get the best deals and plans for their needs.
Flexible Collaboration
Employees who are very shy in reaching out to colleagues directly in the office would argue that they will collaborate and brainstorm well in a hybrid setup. While working at home, they can contribute actively through online whiteboards, company social media sites and video calls. Some argue that they can also keep up their social interactions through these online tools is lost in a hybrid setup.
Work-life Balance
Finally, employees in favour of a hybrid workspace would argue that they will achieve a work-life balance with this setup. They will be as flexible as they can with work, from their work setup to tackling the job at hand.
Cons
Employees May Find It Hard To Keep Up With Two Workspaces
Meanwhile, some will argue that not everyone will keep up with having two workspaces. Not everyone can create the ideal home setup for work and access all the resources they need to do their work. Older employees may also find it challenging to collaborate well online, especially those not proficient with computers and the internet.
It Can Be Hard To Identify True Output Quality
Others can also argue that while employees can become productive at home, employers can’t see that output until it is sent. Without constant input from their boss since they are working remotely, employees may slowly feel undervalued the longer they are far away from the office, and their employers may forget them.
There Is No Way To Build Strong Social Connections With Their Coworkers
A primary argument for those against a hybrid workplace is that employees don’t get a lot of chances to build social connections with their coworkers. Employees will feel the need to go to the office to speak to them and have a better work experience. Some may also find remote work isolating and make them feel disconnected from their peers.
It Will Be Hard To Compete For A Higher Position
People may become against hybrid workspaces because they believe it will make it hard to compete for a higher position. If they stay remote for a long time, it will disable them from showing their skills directly to their managers compared to those in the office for a long time. This problem will result in many hoping to have office work instead of remote work, even if it puts them at high risk of burnout.
In Many Ways…
Hybrid workspaces have their benefits, especially when people need to stay remote due to natural disasters or health emergencies. However, it is not a perfect system since not every industry can apply it, and employees may slowly lose interest in the setup once they find out its setbacks.
If you are considering it for your company, ask your employees first and plan how you will adopt it accordingly. Without it, your employees may find it hard to keep up with the new workplace and after your overall productivity.
Workplaces are like a second home since we are spending so much time in it. Here are a few more articles to read up on making your workplace a better place:
Is a Sustainable Workplace Beneficial for Everyone?
Understanding the Importance of Positive Relationships in the Workplace
How to Develop a Growth Mindset at Your Workplace
Can’t get enough of MiddleMe? You can find me sharing my thoughts here as well:
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LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/kallytay
MiddleMe 
Nice!, thanks for sharing, I think some people find it difficult to work in a hybrid workplace coz, balancing work-life balance may seem possible as you are at home, but may not be the case as always, with young children around or having to deal with situations and needs at home in between work, some may find it hard to concentrate on work. Just my thoughts, kinda recording your point on people who find it hard to create a workspace at home. 🙂
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Thank you for highlighting that point out. I do sometimes find it hard to work at home now because of a newborn. It may be difficult to concentrate and give it your all if you are not focus at all.
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Yeah I can understand, I started working from home, even before covid hit. I too had a few challenges on focusing. I have friends who are now finding out it’s not so easy to work from home. That being said, it also depends on how each persons home environment and situations are.
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That’s true. It also depends if you are willing to work out your weakness to make sure that working at home is a success. For example, I can never work in the bedroom. The lure of the warm bed is too much for me. Haha!
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Haha! I know!! right now I have no choice but to work in the bedroom, actually, on the bed itself, my father got a customised bedside table made, so I can continue my work and keep myself engaged. But at times it’s not easy. At my place, I got my study where I do all my work. The challenge is finding ways to make things work when you have to.
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That is so nice and sweet of your father to have a table made for you to do your work. Yes, we all have to adapt and be flexible to make things work. Have an amazing weekend!
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Yeah, dad is like the handyman in the house check out the post – Settling to the new phase of life. He’s also got other things made, he’s the best 🌟 😊
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I love handymen. My dad is one so is my husband.
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Congratulations on the new member to the family 😊👍
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Thank you so much!!
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I love working from home. Since I don’t have to pay for daycare and still enjoy time with my kids. I think it all depends on the type of work you do. If your on the phone all day then probably not the best with little kids at home! I do hope it stays this way for me. I can do all my work from home and only go in once a week in the office. Great article!
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It would have been great working in a hybrid work environment when was working. I think when you have children, this would be ideal. Also, the money alone saved from daycare, eating out, elaborate work clothes, etc. Yes, I am fir hybrid work spaces.
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Yeah you’ve a point. I did save a lot while I’m working from home as a freelancer.
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Excellent overview of the pros and cons, Kally! The best answers for both employers and workers: it depends. Sometimes neither the employer nor the employees know the answer until they try it. I recall an international gig that seemed like an ideal match for my skill set and emotional temperament; however, the mismatched time zones wore me out. Trial periods make possible adjustments as needed.
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Time zones definitely should take into consideration. Myself, I would love to take on afternoons to evenings work.
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a great post on hybrid workplace. It’s not easy to work in this space.
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Thank you!
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a smile
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For me, I prefer the workplace. Despite the hassles of commuting, interruptions, and the occasional lunch theft, I find myself too easily distracted at home.
The workplace imposes a degree of focus. Also, I prefer a clean division between environments.
Sometimes, maybe too, the boss overestimates your availability when you’re working remotely.
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That’s true. Some of my friends are complaining that they don’t know how to draw the line when they go off work. They still checked their emails on weekends and sometimes takes calls late into the night. This eats into their rest time.
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Yeah, I had friends tell me this and I have done this past too!
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Yes, you got a point there!
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Great, you used the term i always had in my mind, but was never been used in our country. Hybrid workspace is sometimes very difficult, because it needs a very detailled scheduling. But its a new way, and i am sure i also will have to deal with. 😉 Best wishes, Michael
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A very, very thought provoking post, Kally. The underlying principle for me is flexibility, as this gives both the employer and the employee the opportunity to design a work environment that works for both parties and may just encourage those who are leaving to stay and those who have left, to come back.
I guess I have been working in a hybrid environment a bit longer than most. Anyway, way back when, in my last permanent role as a CEO, I walked into an organisation where, in the open plan component, there were mobile work stations (or pods into today’s terms). Having a flexible space is awesome. The downside I was told re this “innovative” environment included how the CEO/Executive team dictated the way in which the mobile work stations would be set up and utilised.
Of course my employee engagement radar went off. To address this issue some time later, I asked the teams in that environment their thoughts. I received a disheartened response. However, channeling my inner Carlzon and Semler (and thoughts re Get Smart’s cones of silence), the moment I said the teams could work out amongst themselves how the open plan might work – they were over the moon. This also meant they could put in place work spaces according to their requirements that were less disruptive to others e.g. those who were constantly on the phone or needed access to Citrix.
The issue today around equity seems a very real concern – ensuring there is fair treatment between those working from home and those working at the company office. It takes a very open minded leader(s) to not be bound by past work practices and embrace what is now the ever evolving ways of working.
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I think the people on site would find themselves doing more work, I am experiencing this currently some colleagues do not want to come into work and they ask for favors all the time because some of their work is split between two places.
I am not too concerned about the socializing aspect of it, I would not say that is a con for me 😂.
I think it would be great to have work on site and offsite periods for all employees at the same time.
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Oh dear. If some have to carry weight of the others in order to complete work, it isn’t productive and isn’t fair to others as well.
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