Understanding hybrid work models
Many organisations in Australia currently use hybrid work models that were established during COVID-19. While offering benefits, hybrid work can also have unintended consequences on people’s mental health. Learn about the different models and guiding principles so you can select the right model for your workplace.
Part of the Hybrid work module.
What is hybrid work?
Hybrid work models typically involve a combination of:
- working ‘on site’, often in an office location on certain days, and
- working remotely (i.e. at home or third place) on other days.
While the location of work is at the core of hybrid work, other flexible arrangements (mainly around work hours) are often entangled with the flexibility of the work location.
Not all jobs can be performed remotely—some obvious examples are frontline workers, client-facing roles, production workers and trades. This module targets industries with primarily knowledge workers and administrative workers.
What do workers think of hybrid work?
The sizable increase in hybrid work as a result of COVID-19 provides a unique opportunity to gauge and understand its impact. This is because a substantial number of workers have done the same job in both non-hybrid and hybrid settings.
A representative survey of 1,000 Australians conducted by Swinburne University of Technology found 80.2% of respondents had a hybrid work arrangement, and 67% said the use of hybrid work has increased since they stated with their current employer.
Choosing your hybrid work model contains more information about the survey.
This research showed that workers want flexibility and involvement in decision making when it comes to when and where they work. But, most importantly, they need clear, unambiguous guidance about when and where they are expected to work and how much flexibility they have.
5 hybrid work models
There are 5 main hybrid work models:
- Office First – The worker predominantly works in the office (or on site) but occasionally works remotely.
- Fixed Split – The worker works in the office for a specified number of days each week which are decided by the employer.
- Flexible Split – The worker works in the office for a specified number of days which are decided by the worker.
- Fully Flexible – The worker is free to choose their work location every day.
- Remote First – The worker predominantly works remotely but works on site occasionally.
The features of each model and the factors to consider are discussed in chapters 2 to 6.
No ‘one-size-fits-all’ hybrid work model suits all organisations. Each hybrid work model presents opportunities and risks.
4 principles for selecting a hybrid work model
Applying the following 4 key principles can help you create a mentally healthy hybrid workplace for your organisation.
- Establish clear parameters for hybrid work.
- Implement effective communication and consultation processes.
- Implement enabling technology.
- Design meaningful and motivating work.
These principles will help better understand how to set your organisation up for hybrid work, and facilitate work that is mentally healthy. Chapters 8 to 11 explain each principle.