Why the Traditional 9 to 5 Model is No Longer Working for Employees?
The hybrid model is said to be an employee-first model, as it allows the employees to work in their comfort and work in the environment that they feel is the best for them. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many offices did not appreciate employees working from home as the C-suite executives used to feel that the employees will not be productive, and their payable hours will not be justified. With the onset of the pandemic, companies globally had to find a way to make the work-from-home situation work.
Now when living with COVID is the new normal, we now know that employees see the value in a hybrid mode of working. According to a recent survey by McKinsey, three days of work from the office is helping employees strive for a perfect balance between work-life. In the latest survey by Envoy in April 2022, 77% of companies have already opted to go hybrid and 56% of those companies are allowing employees to choose when and how often they wish to come into the office.
9 am-5 pm or 7 pm-3 am; it’s on you!
In an office-first model, where employees work in-office from 9 am to 5 pm, employees feel that they are being constantly monitored. This not only affects their quality of work; but also does not bring out the best in them. A hybrid model offers employees the flexibility and freedom to work according to their clock. For example, some people show a high level of productivity during the day, while some during the evening, and the hybrid model encourages people to bring out the best in them. That is why according to a recent survey by Wakefield Research shows that almost half of employees (47%) would likely look for another job if their employer doesn’t offer a flexible working model.
Striking the balance
Finding balance is more convenient in a hybrid setup. When employees have more control over their work schedules, they are able to balance their personal lives with their professional lives without having to compromise. When employees feel they are in charge, they feel empowered; and an empowered employee is loyal to the organization and performs better. According to a survey undertaken by Slack, flexibility in the mode of working keeps employees motivated and stay at an organization for a longer duration.
Attract global talent
Working in a global company is every employee’s dream and attracting the best talent is every employer’s wish. The benefit of working remotely allows both the employee and the employer to broaden their talent pool. A competitive working environment also encourages employees to constantly stay updated with their skill set which gets subsequently acknowledged in the global market.
Increasing the profit-factor
With employees not having to travel every day to work, their interaction with the outside world has decreased, which has caused about 87% of the employees to be worried about their health and safety (according to a survey by Envoy). With a hybrid model of working, minimal human contact causes lesser infections. It even allows employees to isolate.
