4 Myths About Hybrid Work Environments Debunked

A hybrid workforce is becoming increasingly common in the modern workplace. With an influx of employees prioritizing work-life balance, utilizing a mixed schedule of working remotely and in the office has proved to be an excellent solution.

However, with such a boost in popularity, there is also an increasing number of rumors about hybrid work. Let’s debunk 4 of the most common myths about hybrid work environments.

1. Collaboration suffers in a hybrid work environment

A lack of collaborative opportunities is a common misconception about hybrid working environments. For decades, employees didn’t have a choice on whether to work remotely or not—the only option was to work in the office 5 days a week. Because of this, company leadership tends to believe that collaborative, meaningful work can only happen when everyone is in the same room.

That’s simply not the case.

Employees don’t have to be in the same room at the same time to be productive; in fact, remote workers often have fewer distractions to deal with than employees who are in the office. This means that hybrid workforces actually are more productive and collaborative than those that aren’t.

The office can utilized as a ‘social anchor’ in a hybrid workforce. It’s a place where employees can reset and get the social interaction they need to continue to feel like they are part of a team.

2. Productivity decreases when employees aren’t in the office at the same time

You shouldn’t have to look over the shoulders of your employees all day to ensure that their work is getting done. If you trust your employees to put in 100% day in and day out, no matter where they are, the hybrid work model won’t affect productivity negatively.

Hybrid work boosts productivity because of increased privacy throughout the day. It’s easy to get distracted in an office environment with multiple conversations happening at once, client meetings, etc. Sometimes the noise within an office environment inhibits productivity.

You can also implement more privacy in the office, without sacrificing collaboration between teams. Workstations and cubicles are the perfect solutions to noise reduction and increased privacy within the office without feeling restricted.

Darran Furniture’s Honey workstations are a great option for a piece of furniture that’s adaptable to all working environments, including open spaces, collaborative zones, lounges, and more. Honey workstations are built for quality, comfort, and privacy.

Employers also must ensure that employees have the best equipment, no matter where they are. Ergonomic furniture will set your employees up for success by helping them stay comfortable all day. Some of our leading brands for ergonomic furniture include Via Seating, Global Furniture Group, and Humanscale.

3. Hybrid models are too complicated to be effective long-term

Hybrid and remote work isn’t just a trend. Employees are continually searching for jobs that will offer them more flexibility. Less commute time and more work-life balance is becoming the standard, which makes hybrid work is becoming a top recruitment benefit.

If hybrid work is new to your organization, managers and employers will need training on how to best manage a hybrid workforce. It will be essential to set clear expectations, communicate often, and understand how to manage performance.

4. Office design is less important with hybrid teams

The design and layout of your office space are even more critical when you have a hybrid team. You want to design a space that employees want to come to instead of staying in the comfort of their own home.

This is a great opportunity to get creative with desk layouts and breakout areas to increase productivity and collaboration. For lounges and breakrooms, the River+ by Global Furniture Group is a great option offering a variety of configurations in a modern, sleek style.

The Hip Hop by Groupe Lacasse is another modern furniture line perfectly suited to any type of environment. Hip Hop allows you to create a completely personalized space that portrays your brand flawlessly.

A ‘third place’ is a twist on the traditional breakroom layout. It’s a space where like-minded employees can come together and build relationships. When choosing a ‘third place’, take a look at where employees naturally gravitate to together. It can be indoors or outdoors as long as it’s an area that’s engaging to employees.

Don’t forget to ensure that your meeting areas are set up to cater to employees who aren’t in the office. Include power outlets and large screen monitors so employees never loose connection.

Hybrid offices are the future

The modern workplace is rapidly changing, but one thing is for sure: hybrid working is here to stay. To keep employees engaged and productive, employers will need to make some changes to their current office layout.

If you’re looking for a trusted partner to transform your corporate office layout into a hybrid efficient environment,get in touch with our team at Furngully.