A few years ago, it seemed like only a few, lucky employees had the privilege of sometimes working at the office and sometimes working at home. This arrangement has become more popular in a post-pandemic world. And for good reason.
These employees seem to have the best of both worlds.
Some days, they commute into the office. They greet their coworkers, have access to specialized tools and materials, and work in collaborative spaces. At their desks, they can tune out interruptions and won’t be bothered by spouses, children, or pets. If they want, they can go out to lunch with their colleagues.
Other days, these workers stay home. Their commute is nonexistent. From the comfort of their home office, they make phone calls, attend virtual meetings, and check off other work tasks. They can curl up with their cats and make lunch for their children. If they want, they can brew an entire pot of coffee and not have to share it with anyone else.
This flexible working schedule has an official name: the hybrid work model.
What is the Hybrid Work Model?
According to Gallup, the hybrid work model describes employees who spend less than 100% of their time on-site and at least 10% of their time at home.
In 2019, they made up 32% of workers. In February of 2022, they made up 42% of workers. And according to projections, beyond 2022 they will make up 52% of all workers.
These numbers paint a picture of workplaces that are not always at a place of work. For just about half of all employees, “work” is wherever they are able to complete the expectations and requirements of their job.
In the hybrid work model, “work” is what they are doing, not where they are.
Why Should You Care?
Whether you’re an employee or an employer, you should care about the hybrid work model. It’s one step toward an adaptable workplace, where workers choose their location based on what they need to accomplish.
So it’s worth asking: What do my employees need to be able to do while they’re on-site? Maybe they need access to materials and resources and large spaces to use them. Maybe they need rooms for comfortable collaboration, private phone calls, or large meetings.
Workers should ask themselves the same sorts of questions about their home offices. What work do I tend to do the most while I’m at home? Does my space promote productivity? Is it adaptable? Organized? Comfortable?
If you need to make a change, whether on-site or at home, office furniture is one place to start. The most flexible spaces have furniture that adapts to any need. Consider adjustable height desks, for example. They support a range of tasks from sitting to standing, allowing workers the freedom they’re looking for within the hybrid work model.
Are you ready to embrace the hybrid work model? Visit OfficefurnitureAMERICA and browse our adaptable furniture for ideas to make any location a place of work.