What Does Remote and Hybrid Work Mean? Learn More about the Differences

What is the difference between hybrid work and remote work? Learn more about the differences

After the pandemic, workers were forced back to their offices. The word hybrid is defined as a “thing that combines different elements.” This concept is based around the idea that you can work both remotely and in an office. Many people are unsure about the differences between remote workand hybrid. Compare apples with oranges. Each concept will be explained in depth to ensure you understand it.

What is remote working?

Remote work refers to the idea that employees don’t have to be physically present at the office in order to complete their daily tasks. Remote teams consist of people who work remotely, from their homes, co-working areas, or even on a beach in Thailand. Flexible schedules can help improve the work-life balance of many employees.

Digitalization drives remote work models

Remote working is a result of technological innovation and digitalization. To work remotely, remote team members need only wifi, a laptop and team chats/email. Younger generations are digitally literate and can easily move between the physical world and the digital one.

As the online and offline worlds merge, the term “digital” may lose its meaning in the future. Remote work is now possible thanks to both technology and our mentality.

Hybrid work models are on the rise

You may have heard of hybrid work. You might have seen articles about the hybrid work model or it was implemented in your office. This is a hybrid between working in an office, and remotely.

Each company has their own version that allows employees to work remotely to a greater extent or less. Some companies designate certain days for employees to work remotely or in the office. They call this hybrid model. A hybrid worker can work remotely, but they are not hybrids.

What is the main difference between hybrid work models and remote working?

Remote work and hybrid work are often confused. The main difference between hybrid and remote work is the level of flexibility. Hybrid work models are complex because of this. The question is whether you prefer to work at home or in an office. Hybrid work involves switching seamlessly between the two.

Which model is the most flexible?

Even if an employee is able to switch between their office and home office, remote work offers greater flexibility. You can have a greater influence on the work done, since you do not need to attend meetings or consult with clients. It frees up more time in the day.

The geographical boundaries of remote work are not fixed. As long as the candidate is qualified, a company can hire anywhere in the world. It would be necessary to hire someone who could come regularly into the office and do hybrid work.

Both hybrid and remote models can perform the same tasks

No matter where you are located, whether it’s at your office, home or a coworking space, your work will be given equal priority. You’ll also keep a line of communication open with your colleagues and leaders.

Flexible office for hybrid and flexible work

It is necessary to have a hybrid office to enable colleagues to communicate face-to-face. Implementing the right processes is important because the number employees visiting the office can vary. The office design should have different sections such as lounges, smaller meeting rooms and hotdesks.

A streamlined office can benefit managers as well. The cost of maintaining and renting office space will be reduced. They can change the lighting, cleaning, and furniture layout of their office by analyzing how occupied certain areas are during certain hours.

What are some of the similarities between hybrid and remote work?

Hybrid and remote working is enabled by a few fundamental concepts.

The foundation of any remote or hybrid team is trust.

and work models do not make an exception. Managers used to look over the shoulders of their employees and micro-manage. A paradigm shift has occurred due to the need for highly-skilled employees. The hierarchy has flattened and it’s important to work across departments.

You must therefore build a strong team of competent, confident people who can communicate openly. Before allowing their employees to work independently, managers must have faith in the abilities and autonomy of their employees. People often produce excellent results when they are given more freedom and trust.

Avoiding biases in hybrid and remote environments

In the world of hybrid and remote working, it’s crucial to be aware of biases. Toptal’s article, “Treating remote workers fairly in a hybrid Workplace”, has discussed a recent bias called proximity or distance. Distance bias is a tendency that occurs subconsciously and favors employees physically near. It can have serious business consequences. We must eliminate any bias, such as the distance bias, when we explore the differences between hybrid work and remote work.

Reliable work processes in hybrid and remote companies

In order to avoid a decrease in performance when employees do not meet in the office, it is important that the correct processes are implemented. You must first ensure that your team and other departments are communicating effectively. It is important to choose the best communication method for each department. Slack and Teams can be integrated with email, CRM systems or project management tools like Asana and Trello. There are many software options available. Depending on your objectives, video conference or message threads may be helpful.

Maximize your communication platforms

You must decide which communication channel you will use to create a hybrid/remote work process.

• Where do you go to celebrate birthdays, wins and future holidays?
• How do you notify your employees about new employees?
• Where can I find the team briefing?
• How do you plan individual meetings and follow up meetings?
• How can you effectively communicate with your clients and stakeholders

Remote setup also includes ensuring all employees have necessary equipment such as video cameras or headsets for videoconferencing. Encourage them to call you with any questions.

Before implementing any new solution, we recommend giving your employees proper training and a demonstration. Make sure that they know how to contact you if any issues arise. For example, a ticketing system for IT support will prevent bottlenecks in the organization.

A strong team to increase productivity

It has already been mentioned that it is important to allow people to work anywhere. Both team spirit and responsibility play a role. When team members feel comfortable discussing issues and working together on solutions, productivity increases.

Managers should encourage all employees to work with the team, regardless of whether they are in an office or working remotely. Some employees may feel isolated and left out when they work hybridally or remotely. Include team members in informal events and meetings.

You can invite your remote members to an office event or conference to allow them to meet each other face-to-face. When colleagues get to know each other better, it is more likely that there will be fewer misunderstandings.

It is easier to track the situation if everyone knows their role and what they are doing every day. Regular follow-up in meetings can identify potential issues and risks.

Security is the first priority

Internet and technology are vital for remote and hybrid work. No matter if you have hybrid workers, or a team that works remotely, your business is still dependent on internet communication and WiFi. Hackers have access to company information. We urge you implement security measures to protect this information.

To ensure they are vigilant and aware, remote and hybrid employees can also be taught about phishing via phone or email. If they’re working on an unprotected wifi, they can be instructed to use a VPN.

Should you work remotely or implement a hybrid work model?

The hybrid and remote works share many similarities. Both hybrid and remote work involve a degree of personal freedom. Remote work is much more common than hybrid. Management and employees prefer hybrid models of work.

Remote work isn’t suitable for everyone because you can’t interact with your colleagues in person. Some businesses and employees still love the remote model and base their business around it. Companies that choose remote work as a first option may attract highly-skilled and autonomous workers, who are familiarized with their unique processes. Travel and the freedom to work from anywhere may be important.