Hybrid Corporate Ecosystems: Virtual Workers and On-Site Employees
The hybrid office model has come to reinvent the work system, giving us the opportunity to collaborate with virtual workers and employees in the office. Employers around the world have begun to evolve and broaden their outlook. In this way, schedules and locations give the flexibility to change from one model to another according to the needs of each company and its employees.
The global pandemic we are experiencing has shown us the capacity of human beings to adapt to change. As well as how capable we are to innovate new practices, questions, and ideas that help us to improve the way we do things every day.
The New Trend Including Virtual Workers and Onsite Employees
The home office may seem very attractive; at first, we imagine working comfortably from home, without having to move anywhere, avoiding traffic, and eating at home. However, it is not so simple for everyone; to be productive and successful we must have favorable conditions, technology, adequate lighting, and work discipline.
In this sense, the pandemic is offering us a perfect scenario for testing work models. The idea is to test models that are more beneficial to companies, adjusting and correcting errors until we find the best formula for everyone.
This is why hybrid work models have become the new trend, but what is a hybrid model? Generally speaking, it is a combination of face-to-face and remote work. One can divide the workers’ day into half a day on-site and the other half remotely, for example. Or, you can have them come to the office on certain days of the week, allowing them to have the benefits of both ways of working.
The point is that the new office is a space for collaboration, community, creativity, innovation, and a sense of belonging that will prevail after this pandemic. People will work in centralized offices some of the time and some of the time remotely, improving their productivity and allowing for flexibility.
How are Virtual Workers Associated with this New Work Model?
While it is true that hybrid work models have been thought for existing workers of a company, the hiring of virtual assistants is also emerging as an efficient work proposal for these models.
This proposal is based on the benefits that employers find in hiring virtual assistants. The benefits include cost savings and better use of time. Additionally, when we talk about hiring virtual assistants in Latin America, there is also the added bonus of the same time zone.
In this way, remote virtual workers are being hired and can be integrated into the existing team. Aside from enhancing productivity, the program achieves additional benefits.
Hybrid Model Challenges for Existing Workers
During the pandemic, the biggest concern about telecommuting was the possibility of decreased productivity compared to face-to-face activity. Likewise, there was concern that customer service areas would continue to provide optimal service. To the surprise of many, the studies showed increases ranging from 5% to 25% in productivity indicators.
Now, as vaccination health coverage advances, more and more employees and companies see the hybrid model as imminently the next step, perhaps going forward.
While this is a fairly common perspective, there are many workers around the world who are unwilling to return to the office. A recent example of this is the ongoing controversy at Apple.
When the CEO of that company, Tim Cook, reported that from September 2021 workers would have to return on a mandatory basis three days a week. This produced a strong reaction of disgust among employees.
As we can see, not all people are willing to work in the hybrid model imposed by some employers.
The real challenge in the implementation of hybrid models lies in the consideration that HR Departments have for employees.
Making the Hybrid Model Work with Virtual Workers
In discussing the hybrid model with existing workers, it is important to keep each employee’s situation in mind.
Telecommuting is not appealing to many employees, who prefer to stay in the office. While there are others who prefer remote work to have to go to the office for even a few days. Another group prefers to keep the hybrid model in place, working some days at home and others in the office.
This is where HR departments’ considerations play a very important role. You need to consider not only the preferences of your employees but your ability to meet their preferences.
Having said that, entrepreneurs can take into account certain important factors when they are hiring new employees.
Therefore, at this time, incorporating virtual workers into a team with on-site workers may be an option to consider.
We have already mentioned the benefits of hiring virtual workers, especially in Latin America. Employers get cost savings on hiring, better time management, and team members working the same working hours.
Contact Claudia, our director, to learn more about integrating virtual workers into your company!
