Creating the hybrid workplace that fits your organization

But how does this hybrid workplace work, and how can we get the most out of it? In this blog, we’ll let you in on some of the benefits and best practices we’ve learned through our own experience with this hybrid workplace approach.

Why choose a hybrid workplace?

The hybrid workplace combines remote work with office work. It may look different among organizations, but it typically includes the on-site presence of a core group, while others are free to come and go as they please, within a clear framework. 

This mixed way of working generally allows employees the opportunity to fit work around their lives, rather than structuring work around fixed hours logged into an office. For many employees (and employers) it’s an optimal balance of productive work with reduced stress and less commuting.

How to make your hybrid workplace case

At delaware, we have created a pragmatic and effective approach that helps organizations define the hybrid workplace. It is based on our own experience and learnings. The approach accommodates both the needs of our clients as well as the needs of our employees in the best way possible:

• First, we gathered the general input of all our colleagues through several short-and-sweet surveys on what they thought the perfect hybrid workplace would look like.
• We then collected their helpful feedback and shaped it into several, more general viewpoints (or personas) on this subject.
• These personas finally helped us to map out the key design principles we would focus on while rolling out our hybrid workplace program.

“This practical approach to the hybrid workplace was a real eye-opener for me”, says Patrick Andersen, partner at delaware. “It allowed us to move away from the otherwise polarizing debate between the up- and downsides of home-work and office-work, and achieve a more objective perspective on what it means to work in a hybrid office.” 

“When we combine this research with our empathic and personal way of collaborating with each other, I’m certain this approach to the hybrid workplace will have a great added value to not only our business, but also that of our customers.”

Benefits of the delaware hybrid workplace approach

Convincing your leadership of the worth of the hybrid workplace, is the key to making this transition from a traditional workplace a reality. Patrick: “That’s why the timing is now right, as the pandemic has changed the world and how we work in it. Thanks to the greater ability to plan our days and soaring focus-time productivity, managers are discovering their employees can be trusted to work from home, along with other major benefits to the combination of home- and office-work:”

• A hybrid workplace prioritizes the employee, and encourages a stronger work-life balance, ultimately benefitting clients as well as employees.
• It is also a more economical and environmentally-friendly workplace, reducing your ecological footprint, together with the costs in real estate and office maintenance. 
• It offers you a larger talent pool to work with, as you will no longer be confined to hiring employees in specific geographical regions. Setting up remote offices, or offering new hirings the possibility to frequently work from home will give you a lead on your competition in the war for talent.
• Finally, it can help prepare you for potential future lockdowns. With many employees already working from home, your workplace can easily adapt back to a fully remote environment. 

“Of course, passing by the office on a regular basis strengthens the bond with and between our people,” Patrick adds, “that remains an important balance to strive for in the hybrid workplace. That is why we want to take the best of both worlds – physical and digital – and combine them into one hybrid workplace approach that works for every employee and employer.”

Defining the hybrid workplace that works for you

Want to develop your own hybrid workplace approach and further improve the employee experience in your organization? We’re happy to help!