Quite a number of companies are not okay with a full transition to remote work. They would rather all or some of their employees work from the office. On the other hand, many employees would rather prefer to continue working remotely. Which holds the greater benefit? Perhaps, you can get some tips from this post on Hybrid work vs remote work: pros and cons.
Basically, governments and private institutions may feel that workers need to work in the office to revive the covid 19 pandemic hit economy. Meanwhile, some workers still prefer the flexibility and freedom inherent in remote work. Again, you can balance this with the expressed needs of still other people who crave the social interaction of office work. Well, to make up your mind, you can take a look at the following pros and cons of remote work and hybrid work.
Pros of Hybrid work setup
Flexibility
Employees can marry the advantage of being able to work for some time from their homes with being able to go out and interact.
Better team collaboration
Even with available tools and software, you may still find that some tasks are better-done face to face. That is an advantage that hybrid work can offer.
Lowers work isolation
Remote work can make some people feel isolated or alone. After all, remote work only allows for limited interaction. Hybrid work provides the middle ground of a flexible schedule and needed interaction.
Cons of Hybrid Work Setup
Costs more for the company
Generally, companies can incur more running costs as compared to remote work. For instance, hybrid work necessitates running expenses such as allowances, food, and electricity bills. Besides, employees also have to bear commuting costs.
Some employees may prefer a fully remote option
You would still have to contend with those who prefer to work from home fully. That is why a consideration of employee preferences is important.
Not all industry works with the hybrid model
While the hybrid work model is great for some companies, it is not suitable for all industries. Some industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and retails need to have face-to-face work set up to do their work. On the other hand, jobs relating to IT, writing, and research are best done at home. Thus, before switching to the hybrid model, make sure that it fits well, as it can do more damage than good.
Pros of Remote Work Setup
Employees save commute time
Essentially, remote work helps the company save time and increase productive hours. Besides, when commutes are long distances, it can cause exhaustion and stress. In turn, this can lead to burnout.
Increased productivity
Interestingly, studies have confirmed that remote workers can be 13% more productive than office workers. this can be attributable to the fewer distractions from coworkers.
More cost-saving benefits
Furthermore, with remote work, you can reduce the costs of office space and equipment. For example, you do not need these expenses when onboarding remote employees.
Cons of Remote Work Setup
Less teamwork and collaboration
That human need for face-to-face interaction is still there. With remote work, employees may not have enough access to fellow team members for support.
Reduced motivation
Possibly, some team members who feel isolated can become demotivated. As a result, productivity levels may reduce while turnover rates may increase.
Security concerns
As a business owner, you may need to consider the security of your remote workers. And no, this goes beyond just their physical security. For example, Remote workers without secure VPN connections and passwords may be prone to cyber-attacks.
In summary
Ultimately, you have to consider hybrid work vs remote work: pros and cons properly before choosing one. Careful planning is needed. However, with the factors highlighted above, you can make a choice that suits your business.
