Hybrid work productivity has become a trending buzzword as employers and employees alike look past the pandemic and realize hybrid work is here to stay. However, this work model can be a bit more complicated than either remote or office work. Not only do you have to determine which tasks are best accomplished remotely or on-premise, but you also have to adjust your routines and mindset to ensure you remain equally productive in both environments.
While there are no shortage of articles written on productivity, it’s important to focus on the unique aspects of productivity in a hybrid work lifestyle. Therefore, in this post, we’ll share the latest trends in the hybrid workplace and details on maximizing hybrid work productivity.
What is a Hybrid Work Schedule?
Unfortunately, for many of us, not all work environments can become fully remote. Secondly, the return to business as usual needs to be handled sensibly, not just because of COVID-19 but also due to the growing acceptance of remote work. A hybrid work schedule is a flexible arrangement combining remote and on-premise work. In this model, employees work from both the office and remote locations to overcome the shortcomings of each and get the best of both worlds.
Of course, there's no universal approach to creating a hybrid schedule as different organizations have different needs. For instance, many companies opt for split-teams by hiring both full-time on-premises and remote workers. Others work certain days from the office and remotely for the rest of the workweek.
What Employees Are Saying About Hybrid Work Schedules?
According to Forbes, over 80% of US employees want to work in a hybrid work schedule, and 50% of these people are willing to quit their jobs if their companies fail to provide their preferred options. Obviously, not everyone is on board with this blended model. Here are some interesting statistics about the state of hybrid work:
What Companies Are Saying About Hybrid Work Schedules
The pandemic proved that employees could work remotely and remain productive. However, most businesses can't solely rely on a remote work model to manage their operations and grow. The good news is that companies that have adopted a remote model are more likely to embrace flexibility and retain valuable talent. The bad news is that many organizations either lack the space or infrastructure to sustain a hybrid model. Here are some interesting statistics from both ends of the spectrum:
4 Ways to Maximize Productivity in a Hybrid Work Lifestyle
The following is a four-part plan you can use to boost productivity in any hybrid work situation:
Know Thyself
The first step in boosting productivity in a hybrid environment is self-assessment. From extroverted employees to their introverted counterparts, every workplace has a mix of personalities that thrive in certain environments. For instance, some people thrive when working in isolation, while others rely on constant stimulation from the outside world and people for energy.
Therefore, you need to self-assess yourself and which situation is best for your productivity, enjoyment, career prospects, technology competence, collaboration, etc.
You can rate each of these aspects on a scale of 1-10 based on your work location or hybrid work schedule. The simplest way to calculate productivity is by combining the number of tasks you've completed in a certain period (planned-to-done ratio). If you work in sales, you can also measure productivity based on leads generated or the number of products sold.
Moreover, you also need to assess the impact of a hybrid work lifestyle on your home life. Do you feel commuting to the office or working remotely on certain days of the week is affecting your routine or overall lifestyle in any way, such as energy level, time management, child-rearing, or health? By understanding the work and personal life aspects of hybrid work, you can work with your employer to strike a balance that’s best for you.
Understand Your Situation
Next, you need to analyze your current work situation in terms of work schedule and responsibilities, such as a secondary job, college, childcare, etc. For example, many working parents prefer the remote model and are not interested in returning to the office any time soon. Similarly, young adults looking to socialize and build their networks want to work mostly from the office.
Aside from yourself, there’s also your employer to consider. If you want to advance with this employer or simply get great work to do, how will your hybrid schedule impact those efforts? You need to carefully assess your situation and set an ideal work schedule in terms of flexibility, time, activities, and model.
Pick Strategies that Suit Your Personality and Lifestyle
Many modern employees remain blissfully unaware of the tools, technologies, and strategies available to maximize productivity in a hybrid lifestyle. Let’s start with time management. Using solutions like Todoist or Monday, you can schedule your remote and on-premises tasks by time and location so you can ensure they’re done timely and properly.
If you have a habit of losing track of time, grab a Pomodoro Timer to space out work and home life sessions. Or, if you find yourself forgetting information you want to share with colleagues, you can use Evernote or Google Docs to note down important information for yourself or to collaborate with others.
Lastly, if you have a bit more money than time, outsourcing is another great strategy to improve and maintain productivity and quality of life in a hybrid environment. You can outsource any non-work-related task in the digital age, such as shopping or travel planning. I’m not ashamed to have others help with filing paperwork, managing social media, or even the initial stages of research. To take outsourcing to its limits, consider what tasks you can automate through services like TaskClone, IFTTT, or Zapier.
Re-Evaluate Tools and Processes Quarterly
Before you can maximize your productivity, you'll have to experiment with a few different tools and strategies until you find a system that works for your personality and lifestyle. Don’t worry about finding the perfect tool or strategy, just one that works for you until you decide it doesn’t. Set a meeting with yourself once or twice a year to see if you can improve your system or if your circumstances have just changed.
Conclusion
Hybrid work is here to stay. Embrace the benefits of flexibility and manage the challenges of complexity. To not be overwhelmed, creating a work plan around your personality and lifestyle is the best way to go. Whether your hybrid work schedule is 99% remote or just 1 day on the road, you can construct a plan that matches the life you want and that’s the point. There are tools and strategies ready to help you build the integrated life you want to live.