Concerns Employees Have With a Hybrid Working Schedule

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Though this type of scheduling may be beneficial to some, it has raised some concern for others.

There are multiple reasons as to why employees are threatened by hybrid work schedules. Here are some concerns people have with working from both home and in an office.

Notably one of the biggest concerns business employees have regarding hybrid work is that they won't be appreciated as much. Since they aren't working in a professional setting, many worry that their tasks completed at home will be undervalued. Though working at home may be less stressful and enjoyable, completing everyday office tasks should still be appreciated. Hybrid scheduling could lead to workers dealing with higher pressure situations, and greater expectations. These circumstances can negatively impact work and progress for hybrid employees.

"Hybrid work may create biases in management and decision making. This can harm the motivation and work ethic of employees who work from both the office and their own home," declares Shelley Moyer, project manager at UKWritings and Via Writing.

So, make sure that you're appreciating all of your employees. Maybe check in with them on a regular basis. Send them gifts. Or, you can reward your hardworking employees with company perks. Whatever would make them happy, give it to them.

Most people don’t live in a distraction-free quiet environment. Kids, roommates, pets, and busy neighborhoods make one’s home unfit for work related activities. Some people live in rural areas with poor signal, making internet usage a struggle. When you are at the office, you can almost always rely on having a decently quiet setting, the correct equipment, resources, and assistance to complete your tasks.

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At home, the likelihood of complications is increased because you are in a completely different setting. These problems are concerning to employees who may have to transition to a hybrid work schedule. It’s rare for an employee to have a reliable workspace in their own home.

Want to help make their home workspace more comfortable? Maybe send them a new computer desk or chair. Give them some equipment (e.g. headphones, webcam, etc.) to spice up their computers. Giving them the right tools and devices can make their home workplace more suitable for work.

When you aren’t with your coworkers in person, networking is difficult. Though you can email, call, facetime, and communicate with employees online, socializing from home isn’t the same. If your coworkers struggle with managing their time from home, meeting with them can be complicated.

Hybrid scheduling can also weaken new and existing relationships amongst workers. When new employees are hired, hybrid scheduling increases the difficulty for networking. If sponsors, higher-level management, and other important figures visit the office, you miss the chance to meet with them if you are at home. This same issue is raised during work events and seminars.

Finally, procrastination is a pet peeve amongst people who work from home (remote or hybrid). Plus, the lack of teamflow can be just as bad.

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Being at home one day and at the office the next can hugely sway teamflow and workflow. Lack of instruction and more free will can cause employees to slack off, and impact their peers. In a group project, some members may feel inclined to sit back and contribute nothing. When these people get to work from home along with their peers, they can easily get away with their actions. In an office/work setting, management can redirect slackers, and ensure groups are working as a team. Equal contribution to projects is crucial, and hybrid work gives certain individuals the potential to avoid work.

"On an individual level, any worker can procrastinate when at home. Why this procrastination may not be intentional, it's harder to avoid when away from work. Your phone, the TV, and other enticing distractions can influence workers to choose free time over work," shares Gale Underwood, business writer at Studydemic and Essay Services.

While hybrid work scheduling can have several negative impacts, with the right organization, it can be effective. Some employees are able to focus and complete work faster at home. This can be due to social anxiety, learning disabilities, and feeling more productive in a familiar space. Other employees like working from both home and in an office setting. This flexibility can allow certain individuals to reach their full work potential if implemented correctly. Hybrid work scheduling can be a hit or miss, but it’s worth trying to test the waters.