The global pandemic introduced many new trends, one of the most popular trend being the transition to the hybrid work model. Unlike the various fleeting trends during that time, the hybrid work model is here to stay. According to the McKinsey Employee survey, post pandemic, only 37% of the employees prefer fully onsite work model, whereas 52% prefer a hybrid work model and 11% prefer a complete remote work model. It has become an enticing factor as people are now looking at flexibility in workspaces. What exactly is hybrid work model? How effective is this model? How can we tackle the challenges of hybrid workforce effectively? Well, let’s see.

What is a Hybrid Work Model?

A hybrid work model is one where the employees switch between remote and onsite work. This concept offers a degree of flexibility to work from both home and the office, offering the best of both worlds. This model provides various benefits such as better work life balance, increased employee well-being and even improved productivity. However, it may not be applicable to certain types of jobs. Hybrid work model is rising in popularity and represents the future of the modern workforce. Though it seems like the perfect solution, it does come with many challenges.

Common Challenges of Hybrid Work Model

Hybrid work models can be the norm soon for most industries. While it is an exciting work model there are indeed many challenges associated with it. It is important to consider these challenges, create a structure and find possible solutions that work for your organization. Here is a list of 5 major challenges in a hybrid work model:

1. Attendance management

Tackling attendance management in hybrid work model is one of the biggest challenges that most companies encounter. According to Aberdeen Group, 88% of “best in class” businesses automate their time and attendance data collection. Having a software to track check-in and check-out timing, employee locations and resolve any conflicts is crucial for all businesses. There are several such HRM software available in the market such as PayWheel which helps tackle such issues and manage hybrid work model effectively.

2. Risk of Data Security

In a hybrid work model, with most employees using personal devices, networks and communication channels, data security can indeed be a source of deep concern. According to the “Hacker-Powered Security Report,” ethical hackers identified over 65,000 vulnerabilities in 2022 alone, a 21% increase over 2021. (HackerOne, 2022) And so, it is the responsibility of the organization to come up with the right tools and strategies to prevent this by imparting end-user education and awareness to all employees.

3. Communication mismatch

Communication between team members is difficult, especially when in a hybrid setup. It can be due to the glitches due to connectivity or even the lack of effective co-ordination. Non-verbal communication, which plays a huge part in effective communication, often gets lost in such situations. According to Project.co, 42% of people report experiencing burnout, stress, and exhaustion as a result of poor communication. Hence, it is important to invest in tools that can be used as communication channels to enhance the same.

4. Employee onboarding

Onboarding is an important process, which introduces the employee to the company and the work culture. Without human interactions, this process can be less successful and even create a sense of isolation for the new joinees. According to Glassdoor, retention improves by 82% and productivity by more than 70% through a strong onboarding process. It is essential to create an interactive platform during the onboarding process to create a sense of togetherness, to help them get accustomed to the organizational standards.

5. Building a work culture

Building a work culture can be difficult in a hybrid working environment. You can build a healthy work culture with effective planning and communication strategies, deconstructing physical boundaries, and creating a collaborative workplace. Hosting virtual & social events for hybrid teams can encourage the employees to improve workplace relationships. You can also encourage suggestions from employees which can make them feel valued.

Conclusion

The future is gearing towards a hybrid work model, where employees will be able to work from anywhere and everywhere. And so, adapting to the changing work models and investing in the right software is crucial to your business. PayWheel provides an ideal option for hybrid workforce management. This cloud-based HRM solution provides a range of services, including payroll management, location-based services, and attendance tracking among others.

If you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at paywheelsales@triconinfotech.com or call us at
+91- 843 123 4665. Our sales team will get in touch with you immediately.