In May 2021, Google announced that they are moving toward a hybrid workplace giving employees the option to return to the office or to work remotely (or a mix of both). Google, however, was not the first to reveal their new strategic approach - several companies like Microsoft, Ford Motor, and Citigroup had taken similar stances on how they were planning to support the future of their workplaces.
With each passing day, more organizations are having the very same conversations internally, but clearly, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to choosing a hybrid workplace model. With most of the world population now used to working remotely, companies are grappling with how to rebuild a path back to the office that works for everyone.
Gallup’s recent study revealed that about 59% of people would still like to work from home or remotely, as much as possible. So, if a company’s objective is to attract top talent, flexibility may be the way forward. In other words, to foster happiness and job satisfaction among the workforce, it is crucial to find a balance between the talent’s needs and what the role demands. Hybrid workplace improves work-life balance, as found in an independent survey by Global Workplace Analytics. Additionally, the same poll claims that the workforce was found to be happier (83%), more trusting of the company (82%), and were more likely to recommend the organization to their friends (81%).
So, does this mean that every company should hire remote workers or that employees now only want to work from home? Not necessarily. But what it most definitely indicates is that every organization needs to understand the different hybrid models available, and while doing so, carefully plan their remote hiring strategy.
It all begins with setting the right expectations for your hybrid workplace. Is your organization looking to add more flexibility to your workforce? What does the interdependency of teams look like? Are the managers finding it more efficient to oversee teams when working remotely or while in the office? Answering these questions should provide a starting point to understand which hybrid model could work best for your organization. Ever since the conversation on hybrid workplace started, several models have emerged to help companies find the right fit.
When Google revealed its hybrid workplace theory, the company put a great deal of emphasis on the need for flexibility. Turns out, Google is not wrong. A survey recently brought to light that 1 out of 3 employees would seek new job opportunities if asked to work from the office.
However, hybrid recruitment may present some challenges of its own. Connecting with talent as well as communicating in remote or hybrid workplaces, not to mention building a rapport with candidates virtually, requires special efforts. To mitigate these challenges, hiring strategies should focus on digital-first efforts like video interviews, online assessments, social media stories, personalized video outreach, and more. It's imperative that candidates feel included and informed throughout the entire hiring process, otherwise, they may look elsewhere.
Remote hiring also opens opportunities for nearshore and offshore outsourcing. Widening the talent pool outside of one’s geographical location can help recruiters navigate around the more competitive markets, but also save approximately $4,100 per employee in cost. Organizations that leverage contract talent located outside of an HQ city save money on health insurance contributions, visa fees, salaries, tools and supplies, technology, benefits, and more.
Fostering a Healthy and Productive Hybrid Workforce
A research study on a U.S. adult population further indicates that remote working may improve employee happiness with 42% of employees claiming they would take a salary cut to have more flexible work options from their employers. Besides happiness, work from home has also led to improved overall wellbeing, reduced absenteeism, business continuity, and increased productivity. For organizations with hybrid work environment, fostering a culture of health, well-being and high-performance can eventually lead to attracting top talent, improved employee retention, and business continuity in times of crises.
With so many considerations and decisions to make – from assessing the skills that would benefit your organization, to knowing whether offshore or nearshore is better for your team, and to understanding which hybrid workplace model will serve you well in the long run – it may be a good idea to bring in the experts.
Are you looking for help pinpointing the talent that can help evolve your organization? Aditi Consulting can help. Contact us to learn more or download our latest white paper to uncover more IT talent trends.