Hybrid Workspaces: What are the top benefits for business?

Even before the pandemic hit, employees were beginning to show a growing preference for businesses who actively support work-life balance and that means flexible working. Indeed, this shift in how we work has been building for decades. But there is no denying that those businesses who already had a considered remote working strategy were the ones able to flex and adapt to the challenges that the last couple of years have thrown at the world of work.

Study after study has shown that satisfied employees result in greater productivity, a happier workforce, and better staff retention.

With the ball already in motion, hybrid workspaces are not only here to stay; they are now a standard expectation for business success.

So, let’s look at the top advantages of hybrid workspaces to help you better understand why choosing to prioritise and invest in workspace transformation is an inevitable requirement for any business that wants to enjoy sustainable success.

First, let’s clarify what we mean by a hybrid work environment.

What is a hybrid workspace?

A hybrid workspace is a dynamic working environment where your people have the freedom to choose where they work, according to their changing needs.

Today, we have so much more understanding about how the office environment contributes to everything from productivity to staff retention, wellbeing, health, and innovation.

During any working day, employees may want to choose (and benefit from) working from home, in collaborative meeting spaces suitable for both in-person and remote communication, or in quiet areas designed for one. They may need to spend time in break out areas for mental rest and reset, or to unwind with colleagues over lunch in spaces which double as informal meeting places. And that’s just some of the options of hybrid working.

Here’s our top benefits of hybrid workspaces, for your business and your people:

Top 5 benefits of hybrid workspaces

1. Better Staff Performance

Concentration and motivation can be affected by so many things. Whether it’s having freedom to work in a space that’s most comfortable, the ability to organise working hours around demands at home, or the value imparted by trusting your people to decide where they want to work during the working day; staff who work in hybrid work environments are more productive.

Less stressed and able to focus, employees can devote working hours to company tasks rather than being distracted by environmental noise, irritation leftover from a stressful commute, or concerns about the childcare.

2. Improved Staff Retention

Autonomy enables people to create the conditions for happier working hours which also aids staff retention. Why? There are many reasons why employees may leave a company but it all comes down to happiness at work. From reducing the number of hours employees spend commuting, to the increased sleep gained from better work-life balance, or the enhanced commitment generated when an employer trusts their people to work remotely; staff are less likely to leave a company which offers hybrid working because they will feel happier.

In fact, research conducted by HSBC found having a hybrid work model in place was as important as the agreed salary to both employees and potential recruits.

3. Stronger Teams

With work-life balance achieved, businesses can benefit from stronger, dynamic teams composed of a range of employees committed to the company and happy at work. Able to retain valuable experienced staff and attract the best new talent, the provision of specially-designed collaborative spaces for project work, communication and socialising will further improve performance.

4. Inclusive

By providing a range of different types of workspaces to suit a variety of environmental preferences for working, such as quiet pods for solitary work free from distraction or tranquil meeting places for two, a hybrid design solution delivers ensures the business can get the best from every member of every team. With a hybrid office design in place, meeting spaces designed for video conferencing as well as face to face communication mean there’s no longer a need for talented employees with transport or childcare issues to miss out on important meetings. Likewise, those who only come into the office on certain days each week can look forward to well-designed spaces for hot-desking or desk-hotelling, which don’t make them feel like secondary-level employees.

5. Stronger Company Culture

Each of the benefits of hybrid office space already described help to create a strong company culture where every member of staff feels valued – a key factor in business success. With flexible working a major priority for both recruitment and staff retention, offering a well-designed hybrid workspace is now a crucial component of the Employee Value Proposition for every leading business.

If you found this useful and want to learn more, download our FREE Guide ‘How to Overcome Hybrid Work Challenges’. Or discover the benefits of hybrid workspace transformation with our personalised design and installation service. Talk to our expert team today. Call 0203 393 3802.

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What are the top benefits for business?