Remote vs. On Site vs. Hybrid Work Model

Key Highlights:

• The Onsite Work Model requires employees to come into the office five times per week and work the typical 9 to 5 hours. This working model is preferred by businesses handling sensitive information.
• Remote Work Models have grown in popularity due to their good benefits on productivity, with a recent study finding that remote employees are happier with their outputs.
• 40% of employees in the Hybrid Work Model, which favors independent work and younger workers, would contemplate leaving their positions if they weren't offered the hybrid option.

What is the Onsite Work Mode

The on-site work model involves employees coming into the office five times a week and working 9-5 hours. Naturally, having employees working onsite there can bring a lot to the work environment: 

1. Teamwork and Collaboration: creating a stronger team bond develops
2. Building Culture: creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that employees are excited to participate in daily. 
3. Motivation and Productivity: be in a supportive work environment where employees step in to provide the solution to their colleague's problem  

This model is ideal for fostering an environment that values collaboration between colleagues to achieve common goals and tasks. On-site is often the preferred model between companies handling confidential information where factors such as client security can be controlled. However, it might not be the most efficient form of work model.

Pros of Working Onsite 

• The natural environment for teamwork and collaboration
• Allows for easier monitoring and management of employees' work
• Instantaneous feedback and communication between experts outside of the designated team
• Confidential information is handled securely on-site

Cons of Working Onsite 

• Maintaining a furnished and safe location for employees can be costly  
• Shifts from a collaborative to a distracting environment when having to complete individual work
• Time and money spent commuting to work

Working Onsite Suggestions

• Consider implementing designated areas where employees can work without distractions  
• Burnout is common among employees working onsite, make sure to provide flexible bre
• Confirming you have the most cost-effective office space size for your team
  

‍What is a Full Remote Work Model?

Employers who use a remote work model provide their staff the freedom to work fully off-site whenever and wherever they choose. Since the pandemic, this strategy has grown in popularity, and organizations are sticking with it after experiencing the positive benefits of employees' outputs. In a recent study by Slack, remote employees were seen to be more satisfied with the work they accomplished (61% of remote workers vs. 53% of office-based employees). Remote models do come with challenges, as it is hard for employees to stay engaged.

Pros of Working Remote Model 

• Better work-life balance, giving employees more time with family, leading to higher job satisfaction
• Reduced business and infrastructure costs
• Ability to recruit international talent  
• Extra time to cook meals and exercise, making it easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle

Cons of Working Remote Model 

• No consistent form of communication must wait for replies on instant messaging tools
• Difficult to stay motivated with no active supervision
• Management must take extra measures to continue the company's culture ensuring employees feel connected

Working Remote Model Suggestions

• Create virtual team-building activities to aid in the sense of belonging  
• Implement company-wide communication and event scheduling software
• Create an at-home schedule with frequent breaks to help with motivation
  

What is a Hybrid Work Model ?

The hybrid work model is a flexible work arrangement in which employees' workdays are split between days in the office and working from home. Since the big shift from fu on-site work to remote due to the pandemic, data has shown a steady increase in employees favoring a flexible working schedule. In a study by Bloomberg, 40% of employees would consider quitting if their employers were not offering a flexible work model when returning to work. This has been highly significant between younger employees and independent jobs.

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Hybrid work policies vary from company to company based on the nature of the work and under which employees are most productive. The four most common models companies are implementing now are hybrid at-will, split week, week-by-week, and designated teamwork models.

Hybrid Work Policy Types

1. Hybrid at-will: Employees can choose which days to work remotely and which days on-site.
2. Hybrid split week: Employees are assigned specific days to work in the office and remotely by management.
3. Week-by-week Model: Management assigns work weeks where specific employees' teams need to be present on-site. They then spend the next weeks remotely.
4. Designated Teams Work Model: Specific teams are assigned to work on-site or remotely based on the nature of the work.
   

Pros of Hybrid Work Model 

• Flexibility is given to employees regarding where to work, providing convenient spaces for collaboration.  
• Lower overhead costs by dispersing the number of people on-site over a week
• Employees are free to go where they feel most creative and to brainstorm in their unique way, which tends to produce better ideas.  
• Instills trust in employees

Cons of Hybrid Work Model

• Hard to know who is on-site and when if clear communication/scheduling tools are not set up
• It can be stressful for employees that like a fixed schedule due to the unpredictable nature of the work model
• The feeling of being left out of events or conversations that on-site employees get to participate in

Suggestions for Hybrid Work Model 

• Set up straightforward management software which employees will use to help with keeping them connected, productive, and focused on their job.
• To avoid miscommunication, create a clear scheduling system for employees to easily see who is on-site.

What Work Model Should Your Company Implement

Workplace leaders should work closely with their employees to determine the best work model for their company. It could be surveying employees and testing out the preferred model with a small number of teams. Once the model runs smoothly, implement the system throughout the whole company.  

Between on-site and remote, the employees' needs are being addressed vary quite a lot. If your company is based on highly collaborative work, deals with confidential information, and works to achieve common tasks, then going back to on-site work is the best option. On the other hand, companies that have many independent jobs and smaller budgets might find remote to be a better fit.

If your company falls in between the two models, consider implementing a hybrid work model to address the needs of all your employees. As discussed, making this model work in your business requires finding the right software for your company that can address your industry's specific challenges. For example, Litespace is an all-in-one platform that offers scheduling and booking to help empower teams to collaborate. We offer hybrid scheduling space management and many other key features. Implementing management software is key to keeping employees connected, organized, and focused on the right things.

Key Learnings:

Workplace leaders should consult with employees to identify which work model is appropriate for their organization. This can be accomplished by polling and testing the chosen model with several teams or creating a hybrid work model. Management software is critical for keeping people connected, organized, and focused on the correct tasks.