"In today's world, employees exhibit an increasing resilience to change and uncertainties, described as being 'anti-fragile'."
Working Freely - The New Expectation in Career Choices
Nowadays, the flexibility of a hybrid schedule has become a significant determining factor in selecting an employer. Such a work arrangement allows employees, in agreement with management, to determine their own office days and remote workdays.
According to HR experts, a hybrid work model is the optimal choice for today's businesses. It demonstrates loyalty towards employees and boosts the chances of retaining talent. However, the Association of Recruitment Agencies (ARA) cautions that this setup might not suit certain business sectors or specific employees.
Here's a breakdown of the key aspects to consider when implementing a hybrid work style:
62% of employees value flexibility and a hybrid work schedule.
Hybrid and remote work are not suitable for departments with intense interaction, such as customer service, finance, retail, medicine, and production.
Personal comfort and convenience matter more to employees than office work.
Employees need increased attention and clear, timely feedback.
Remote work can lead to a loss of team manageability without proper control.
Many employees struggle to work outside the office environment.
From Rigid to FreeWork: The Shift in Employee Demands
Larisa Bogdanova, Director of IBC HR and President of ARA, shares her insights:
During the summer season, even the most diligent employees may experience concentration issues due to heat. A study by SuperJob shows that a flexible work schedule boosts engagement by 25%, while a rigid regime decreases efficiency by 18%.
62% of employees value flexibility, making a hybrid schedule optimal for them. Retail and production, medicine require a full office day, while logistics, IT, HR, and marketing can thrive in remote work.
Transforming office schedules necessitates top-notch management skills from leaders and conscious consistency in innovations. Here are some strategies to incorporate when switching to a hybrid or flexible work environment:
- Experiment with and change work schedules.
- Implement pilot projects to test schedules.
- Train leaders to effectively manage hybrid teams and accommodate flexibility.
- Listen to and address employees' needs.
- Conduct benchmarking and observe how other companies streamline their work schedules.
The Future of Leadership: Adapting to a Hybrid World
Vadim Brezhnev, founder of Brezhnev Consulting, enlightens us on the evolving leadership approach:
Many companies are bringing employees back to the office not for control but to strengthen team connections, corporate culture, energy, and synergy. Leaders are focusing on inspiring, synchronizing, and managing teams.
The Right Balance: Flexibility and Control
Yulia Pustobaeva, head of the department of personnel management and recruitment at Efix Group, explains the importance of balancing flexibility with control:
An office schedule is essential for departments with intense interaction, while remote work expands access to talents nationwide and globally, reducing costs and increasing independence. However, it requires high self-organization and well-established digital processes.
Figuring out the optimal approach involves:
- Combining client-facing and operational departments in the office.
- Keeping IT and marketing remote or hybrid.
- Adjusting schedules to individual departments' specific needs.
Embracing a hybrid work model can provide companies with a competitive edge by adapting to employee requirements and fostering a more engaged and productive workforce.
- As Larisa Bogdanova, Director of IBC HR and President of ARA, suggests, a flexible work schedule can increase employee engagement by 25%, making it beneficial for the 62% who value such flexibility.
- Yulia Pustobaeva, head of the department of personnel management and recruitment at Efix Group, stresses the importance of balancing the needs of departments with intense interaction in the office, while providing remote or hybrid options for IT and marketing teams to access a wider talent pool and reduce costs.
