The pandemic caused a massive shift in the way we work. Employees have been working from home or remotely for the past three years, and many are not ready to return to traditional office settings.
As health measures ease, hybrid and asynchronous work have become the norm as employees split their time between working from home and in the office. And what do employees think about coming back to the office? Many prefer hybrid work over a traditional office environment, and flexibility is the name of the game.
Why Employees Prefer Hybrid Work
After three years of working from home, many employees are ready to shake things up a bit. Rather than choose one work environment exclusively, they want the flexibility to choose based on their schedule, mood, and needs.
Freedom
Many appreciate having autonomy and control over their workday and find that hybrid options allow them to be more productive and less stressed. A study from Upwork showed that remote workers were more productive, as they could work without distractions like noisy coworkers or long commutes. Hybrid work enables employees to manage their time better and improve work-life balance.
Connection
One of the main reasons employees want to be in the office is to see their colleagues. Employees working from home full-time miss out on work’s social and collaborative aspects and may feel disconnected. Hybrid work can help to alleviate this, allowing face-to-face interaction.
Commute
The commute comes up frequently in the ongoing debate of work-from-home vs. the office. The longer the commute, the less likely an employee will want to come into the office. Commuting can be stressful. It’s also expensive and time-consuming, adversely impacting work-life balance and productivity. Hybrid work offers the best of both worlds as it cuts down the commute and allows employees to visit the office periodically to connect with their team.
Is Coworking the Solution?
Coworking spaces are a solution to address the challenges of hybrid work. Shared or communal workspaces allow employees to work independently or collaboratively in a setting designed to maximize productivity. Coworking spaces offer many benefits, such as variable workspaces, business-grade internet, meeting rooms, amenities like coffee and snacks, and plenty of networking opportunities. Business owners might consider offering employees access to coworking spaces as part of their benefits packages, which can help keep employees happy and connected.
In conclusion, the rise of remote work has resulted in a massive shift towards hybrid work. Many employees are simply not ready to return to traditional office settings, and they might never be. Hybrid work offers flexibility, improved work-life balance, and less time wasted on the commute. Hybrid work also allows for collaboration, escaping the feeling of being disconnected from colleagues and working professionals.
Coworking offers an excellent solution to these modern-day challenges. Speak to us today about the benefits of coworking; we’d love to show you how we can help.
