Recent events triggered the rise of the remote workforce as offices were shuttered for extended periods of time. Now that restrictions are being lifted, many workers have decided they like working from home and are not necessarily keen to resume their daily commute.

But while remote working has its advantages for both employees and businesses, there are plenty of business owners who still want to see their staff members in person on a regular basis. The solution to this conundrum? Hybrid work.

The move from office-based work to remote work and from remote work to hybrid work is one of the most interesting and potentially beneficial changes to the business landscape to come along in decades, and below we're going to take a close look at it.

From Remote Work to Hybrid Work: A New Business Paradigm

A lot of people who were asked to work from home during the pandemic have decided they'd rather continue working remotely rather than return to the office. Many business owners, however, still like the idea of having everyone together in one central location for logistical and other reasons. Fortunately, there's a happy medium that should satisfy both: hybrid work.

What is Hybrid Working?

There are several different hybrid work models, but essentially they all come down to staff members working remotely part of the time and making their way to the office the rest of the time. Recruiters are encountering an increasing number of job seekers not just requesting, but holding out for hybrid work opportunities.

Why is Hybrid Working Important to Job Candidates?

The most obvious reason is that it frees them from having to make the trip to the office 5 days a week. Most people consider the entire commuting process to be an unpleasant, expensive waste of time. Hybrid working relieves at least some of this burden. Many job candidates want to lock in the option of hybrid working up front, so they are willing to pass on job offers that do not include it.

What are the Benefits of Hybrid Working for Employers?

By offering hybrid work options, you make your company more appealing to a wider range of candidates. You also send a message that your company is a great place to work. This, in turn, will ensure you attract top candidates. And that's important in today's hyper-competitive work environment.

"Remote working has always been a sought-after benefit, and today with the technology available and the working at home culture fully entrenched in the post pandemic workplace, companies who are unable to offer flexibility are missing out on candidates who are only considering hybrid roles. As an added benefit the hybrid working model allows recruiters to draw on a much larger geographic pool of talent with location becoming less significant in decision making" - Tricia Morton – Director JMF Associates.

How Have Technological Advancements Made Hybrid Working a More Viable Option?

One technological development stands out above all others for enabling the shift toward a hybrid model as the future of work: broadband internet. Now that broadband - including wireless broadband - is available in most of the developed world there is no reason you can't conduct a meeting via Zoom rather than in person. There is no interminable wait to download files, and getting remote technical assistance and support has also become nearly as easy as popping down to the IT department used to be.

What is the Economic Impact of Hybrid Working?

People studying the effects of remote and hybrid work during the pandemic now estimate that employers can save thousands of pounds per employee by adopting a hybrid work model. Most of these savings take the form of less office space, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity. Employees also stand to benefit financially as they will inflict less wear and tear on their cars, reduce the amount they spend on petrol, and spend less eating out for lunch every day.

What is the Environmental Impact of Hybrid Working?

Environmentalists noted that during recent lockdowns the air in cities worldwide was much cleaner, fossil fuel use was down, there was less trash going to landfills, and wildlife was seen in many places it had not been seen in decades. As we move from remote work to hybrid work some of these environmental positives will no doubt be carried over into the post-pandemic world.

How Has Hybrid Working Become Ingrained in the Workforce – Especially in Finance Roles?

The finance and accountancy industry was slower than some in embracing remote or hybrid work pre-pandemic. But now that a large percentage of people in finance roles have had a year or more of experience as remote workers, fewer are those who want to return to the office on a full-time basis.

If your firm requires new permanent or interim talent, please contact JMF Associates today by calling 020 8663 6699 or by emailing team@jmfassociates.co.uk.