There are both benefits and drawbacks to full-time and hybrid working patterns - but when it comes to your employees’ wellbeing, is there a right or wrong way to work?
Across the world, the onset of Covid-19 in 2020 brought a dramatic shift in the way employers and employees lived, worked, and functioned. Three years on, certain pandemic-induced habits, like the once-popular "elbow bump" greeting, have passed, while others, such as the preference for calls over face-to-face meetings, have firmly entrenched themselves as permanent fixtures.
Among the various outcomes of lockdown life, one of the most widely embraced was the concept of a 'hybrid' work pattern, which blends remote and office-based work. While some firms are reverting back to the office-first working model, others are championing a 'work from anywhere' approach, allowing employees to decide how frequently, if at all, they need to be physically present in the office.
So how do you as an employer strike the right balance between what’s best for your company and the individuals who drive it? In this article, we delve into the advantages and disadvantages of both full-time and hybrid working models, to help you make informed decisions on how to optimize your employees’ health, happiness, and productivity.
Hybrid working: the benefits
A better work-life balance
Many argue that the blend of remote and office-based working offers employees a chance to enhance their overall physical and mental well-being. With reduced commuting time, individuals have more opportunities to spend quality time with their families and loved ones, while the option to work from home can lead to healthier eating habits and less reliance on convenience food.
In fact, a recent study revealed that hybrid workers are engaging in more frequent exercise, enjoying a better sleep, and adopting healthier eating patterns. Surprisingly, nearly 25% of workers reported shedding 20 pounds or more since transitioning to a hybrid work arrangement.
When it comes to health, it’s in the best interest of any employer to promote a ‘prevention over cure’ working culture. So, for companies seeking to enhance their employees’ overall health and wellness, embracing a hybrid work approach could be hugely beneficial.
Greater personal autonomy
Hybrid working also fosters a culture of independent working and self-reliance. It has been proven that employees are 47% more productive when working from home compared to the traditional office setting. This suggests that hybrid working empowers individuals with a greater sense of control over their work, fostering motivation, job satisfaction, and ultimately improving the overall well-being of your teams.
Hybrid working: the drawback
Counterproductive to work-life balance
Perhaps surprisingly, hybrid working can be detrimental to an employer’s work-life balance. Nearly two-thirds of people who work from home find it challenging to disconnect from work at the end of the day. Many respondents - particularly those aged 18-24 - also reported feelings of isolation and loneliness when working outside the office environment.
Office-first working: the benefit
Better for building professional relationships
Although the way we work is rapidly changing, the importance of building strong, long-lasting client and colleague relationships hasn’t. Working in an office environment presents greater opportunity for face-to-face interactions, allowing workers to directly connect and collaborate with other employees outside of their core teams. This, in turn, can contribute towards a greater feeling of camaraderie in the workplace, as well as more innovative ways of thinking and approaching projects.
Office-first working: the drawback
Increased stress
However for many workers, being in an office environment for eight hours a day, five days a week, is not conducive to greater wellbeing.
Office environments are more likely to encourage a sedentary lifestyle, where workers are less likely to step away from their desks - though this does not necessarily mean they are working harder, or producing work of a higher quality.
In fact, the lack of flexibility, increased face-to-face meetings, and pressure to be ‘always on’ in front of colleagues could contribute towards heightened stress, and even burnout. It’s also worth noting that some employers with chronic health conditions, such as Crohn’s, may find it uncomfortable to work in an office full-time - particularly when the option of working from home is readily available in many other companies.
So, what does this all mean for your workplace? Whether you decide to implement an office-first approach or offer a hybrid working pattern, it ultimately comes down to what works best for your employees, and your business as a whole.
The rise of hybrid working as the favored choice among employees cannot be overlooked, as 49% have expressed a preference for a combination of home and office work. In contrast, only 25% of respondents have indicated a preference for full-time office work. However, it is important to acknowledge that hybrid working may not be suitable for everyone. By maintaining regular and transparent communication with your teams and consistently evaluating what is and isn’t working for them, you can cultivate a work culture which puts employee wellbeing at its core.
Regardless of whether you opt for an office-first or hybrid approach, it is crucial to ensure that your healthcare provider has the necessary provisions in place to support the health and wellbeing of your employees, irrespective of their location.
As a trusted regional provider of customized corporate healthcare solutions, GulfCare collaborates with companies throughout the GCC to offer personalized plans that cater to the unique needs of their teams. Our range of services, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Chronic Medication Scheme (CMS), ensures round-the-clock access to compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals in multiple languages.
To learn more about GulfCare’s tailored corporate healthcare solutions and to receive a free quote, get in touch today.
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