{"id":22675,"date":"2022-08-15T08:21:49","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T08:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bayzat.com\/blog\/?p=22675"},"modified":"2023-08-03T12:57:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T12:57:03","slug":"the-pros-and-cons-of-hybrid-working-re-imagine-your-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bayzat.com\/blog\/the-pros-and-cons-of-hybrid-working-re-imagine-your-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons of the Hybrid Working Model"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hybrid working became the talk of the town after the pandemic. While the pandemic forced many to allow employees to work from home, companies have not returned to office work. In a Cisco survey, a staggering 90% of UAE employees said they prefer to work in a hybrid work model<\/a> or be fully remote. So what is it about hybrid working that appeals to workers? Should you consider adopting it with your business? Let\u2019s take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Hybrid Working?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hybrid working<\/em> combined on-site work with remote work. Your employees may work some days remotely while returning to the office. The hybrid model could apply to all your employees or just some. The number of days workers work off-site can also vary from employee to employee and company to company.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no single hybrid model to implement. The right balance of on-site and off-site days depends on your business and industry. The model works best with technology-based industries, as they allow computer-based work to be conducted from anywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a recent McKinsey report, \u201c20% to 25% of the workforces in advanced economies could work from home between three and five days a week\u201d. That figure represents almost five times more remote work compared to pre-pandemic levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The popularity of hybrid work has found its way to UAE. LinkedIn research<\/a> found \u201c74% of professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia think the pandemic has exposed how employers need to change their approach to flexible working\u201d. In short, employees are asking for more remote work opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros of the Hybrid Working Model in the UAE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of hybrid working are pushing this work style to the mainstream. Let\u2019s examine the advantages in more detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Increased flexibility for employees<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Remote work provides lots of work-life balance improvements to employees. Removing commuting times can help your workers do more than just work and commute. A recent Bayzat survey revealed that fuel is among the most requested reimbursements for UAE employees. The average amount per reimbursement has increased by 18%<\/a>. With ever-rising fuel costs in the UAE, hitting Dh4.63 per liter for Super 98, consider the cost savings you could pass on to your employees by minimizing their daily travel to the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So not only are employees saving money, but they are also saving time. The flexibility of choosing where to work can bring an element of authority. Your employees will feel more in control, creating the work-life balance they want. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Enhanced employee productivity<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      \u201cA highly engaged workforce has been shown to increase profitability by 21%, sales by 20% and customer ratings by 10%.\u201d Giving your employees the flexibility to work from home and at the office offers the time they need to maintain a work-life balance. If employees can work from home and come into the office on alternate days, it could lead to a more motivated and engaged workforce. It places your employees in a better frame of mind to come to the office and be ready to collaborate after getting the chance to work whilst caring for their families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It allows employees to create work conditions that help them thrive. The reality that every HR system has to overcome is that some employees require a more laid-back, relaxed environment. At the same time, some could work better in a busy office environment. You\u2019re allowing your workers to choose by allowing hybrid work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Attracting and retaining talent<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Ultimately, your organization has to compete for talent. The UAE employee landscape is getting more challenging, and businesses aren\u2019t just fighting for local talent – you\u2019re also competing against international companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Hybrid working models appeal to a more diverse workforce. Employees with families, those looking to climb the career ladder, or digital nomads will find something beneficial with hybrid work. It is another competitive advantage you\u2019d have in talent acquisition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Operational cost savings for the employee<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          If your organization hasn\u2019t already done so during the pandemic, it could be wise to look at downscaling your office space. This would reduce overheads such as rental space and electricity and work your office days in shifts with hot desking options. With Bayzat\u2019s HR & Payroll software<\/a>, you can also gain granularity when it comes to seeing where your overheads lie and insights into employee expenditure data.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Cons of the Hybrid Working Model in the UAE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          While the above benefits can be a significant advantage for most organizations, it\u2019s vital to be aware of some common problems with hybrid working models. Some of the most common problems are Human Resource pain points that could lead to the following issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Potential communication challenges<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            One of the most significant benefits of an office environment is bringing everyone under the same roof. If you need to sort something out with the HR department, it\u2019s just a hop and a skip away. This isn’t necessarily the case when you\u2019re operating under a hybrid work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            You become reliant on technology, and technology doesn\u2019t always work. Something as simple as your internet connection could cut you off from your team and mean you can\u2019t work as effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The flexibility to play with your working hours could also cause misalignment within the team and hinder communication. Some team members may not start working early in the morning, as they thrive more during the afternoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Employee isolation and reduced team cohesion<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              The isolation from your team isn\u2019t only an issue for communication. The reduced face-to-face interaction can result in lesser team cohesion. This can harm the team and company culture. Suppose you don\u2019t pay enough attention to the technology and software you use to communicate and collaborate with the team. In that case, you can struggle to build team cohesion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. \u00a0Monitoring and performance management issues<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Performance tracking can also be challenging if you don\u2019t invest in the right software. The inability to actually see your employees at work can result in not fully understanding their performance. Equitable evaluations can become an issue if your office has different hybrid policies for other workers. The good news is that you can manage many of these issues with a proper performance management tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. IT infrastructure and security concerns<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Cybersecurity risks are increasing for businesses of all sizes. IT infrastructure is a crucial expense, and remote work can increase the cost. You must invest a lot to guarantee your employees aren\u2019t putting company secrets at risk. You\u2019ll also need to invest in proper training to ensure people understand the data privacy steps they must take while working from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n