Which Works Best for Your Company? Know the Difference Between Remote and Hybrid Work!

What do jobseekers want? According to JobStreet's Future of Recruitment report, it's not just salary but also work-life balance. Offering flexible work arrangements may be a good idea if you want to attract the best talent. We give you the differences between remote and hybrid work meanings to guide you.

Filipino jobseekers are in demand, with the majority of them receiving several job offers in a year. This gives them the confidence to negotiate more than the global average. Work-life balance is a deal-breaker, more so for digital workers, who also value flexible work locations. 

Find out how many jobseekers prefer a hybrid setup, remote working, and in-person work by downloading the report for free and in full today!

If you're open to work flexibility, read our guide on remote and hybrid work, its benefits, and how you can decide between the two. 

Also read: New Benefits Employees Will Love You For

The future of remote working is bright and promising—a development sped up and cemented by the COVID-19 pandemic to facilitate business continuity while curbing the spread of the virus. 

Also called telecommuting or working from home, remote work lets employees accomplish their tasks in any location by using the internet. Employees also use digital platforms and other communication tools to work with teammates and clients.

Though a lot of employees consider remote work as advantageous, it also gives employers like you these benefits:

Reduced costs

Remote workers often use their equipment while working at home. You don't have to rent a big office space if your employees are primarily remote. You also remove everything else from the picture—furniture, snacks and beverages, and commuting reimbursement. Want to increase employee satisfaction? Take a look at these companies that offered connectivity allowances, food stipends, and IT equipment for work-from-home employees during the pandemic. Perks like these say a lot about how you care for your workers.

Access to more jobseekers

Because your employees do not have to report to a physical space, you don't have to be limited to finding candidates outside a geographical location. You can recruit from different cities and provinces—and even countries! While this helps you access a broader range of skills and expertise, it also boosts workforce diversity—which according to the Decoding Global Talent report, is one of the values jobseekers look for in potential employers.

Better productivity

Some studies show that remote employees display increased productivity compared to in-office workers. Why? Experts attribute this to remote workers being able to dictate their professional environment better. In output-based jobs, employees can complete tasks during their most productive hours. Night owls can work after the usual office hours, while morning birds can start working before sunrise.

Improved employee satisfaction

Remote work lets employees enjoy better work-life balance, which helps them manage stress better. This reduces absenteeism (which boosts productivity) and increases job satisfaction. Employees who are happy with their work will likely stay longer in your company. This reduces your costs in hiring and training new people.

Less carbon footprint

With fewer employees using utilities and commuting daily, you help reduce your company's carbon footprint. You can add this positive impact on the environment to your social responsibility endeavors. According to the Decoding Global Talent report, corporate environmental awareness is a plus among jobseekers.

Can't fully commit to remote work? Try a combination of remote and in-person work, called a hybrid work arrangement. You can do this in several ways:

• Dividing the work week into remote and in-office setups

• Only requiring employees to go to the office for meetings

• Rotating the remote work setup monthly or weekly

The nature of your business may not be compatible with a completely remote workforce. If you still want to offer work flexibility, a hybrid setup may be better for you because of these benefits:

Improved collaboration

Remote work can provide ample downtime for employees, recharging them for face-to-face interactions with colleagues. Nothing beats the quality of in-person communication, which helps develop trust and professional relationships. But on the days your employees are working elsewhere, they enjoy uninterrupted work and excellent focus. 

Attractive company culture

Because it's currently a jobseeker's market, it would be good to make adjustments to make you more attractive to top candidates. A hybrid work arrangement shows that you value work-life balance and your employees—an effective come-on for the discerning jobseeker. Offering work flexibility also boosts company branding, which includes how applicants perceive your brand.

Better business continuity

Disasters and pandemics can disrupt work, especially if your business relies on in-person work to continue its operations. Offering hybrid work trains you on digital tools such as cloud computing and online project management platforms. This way, it's business as usual in the office, even when your employees aren't there physically.

Also read: How To Use A Business Continuity Plan To Keep Your Company Afloat

Fewer office expenses

Like a remote setup, a hybrid arrangement lets you save on office utilities, equipment, space and supplies. While these reduce overhead costs, you're still assured of clear communication and improved teamwork, thanks to face-to-face meetings.

Improved trust between employer and employees

Employer-employee trust is one of the building blocks of a durable and productive work partnership. Using a hybrid setup shows that you trust your employees to complete their tasks even if you can't physically monitor them. With this freedom, employees feel empowered, which increases job motivation and satisfaction.

Deciding on which setup to adopt rests on these considerations:

Type of work

Some jobs, such as those that require physical labor and the use of specialized tools, cannot be done remotely. The reason why digital employees can demand work-life balance is that their work can be done over the internet. Read JobStreet's Decoding the Digital Challenge report to know more about what digital workers want.

Also read: Best Digital Jobs To Hire Today According To This Salary Report

Employees' needs and preferences

Some employees may prefer remote work, but others still want to go to the office for collaboration and socialization. Consider getting a consensus to learn what they want and need before making such a significant change.

Your capacity for a flexible setup

Remote work needs infrastructure and technology to be implemented properly. Take stock of your current assets to gauge if you have the necessary resources to support remote or hybrid work. This means investing in collaboration software, video conferencing accounts, and network security.

Compatibility with business goals

Every decision you make should bring you one step close to your company goals. Will offering a flexible work arrangement hurt or boost your business? Another thing to look at is your business values. Remote work is a no-brainer if you prioritize work-life balance. If teamwork and creativity are high on your list, a hybrid setup may be the better choice.

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