The Hybrid Model

From embracing the Hybrid Model of distributed work to refocusing the physical workplace to better support experiences that can’t be replicated virtually, Herman Miller's Vice President of Global Research and Insights, Ryan Anderson, explains how people and businesses can thrive in the future of work.

As we look ahead to the post-pandemic future, I truly feel that our fundamental beliefs about people and work remain more relevant than ever. We believe that people work in highly varied ways and our goal of creating adaptable desirable workspaces that emphasise choice across a variety of work settings has been a core tenant of our Living Office point of view.

Now however, when we talk about providing a choice of where to work on a given day, organisations are realising that it isn't just limited to within the office walls.

Distributed working has been growing for years and it's here to stay. Several approaches to supporting distributed work have emerged even before the pandemic. But it's the Hybrid Model we feel is the best option for creating equitable and inclusive experiences and for tapping into the productive potential of a highly diverse workforce.

The Hybrid Model moves beyond the idea that a person's job title indicates where they do their best work. It really considers the multitude of factors that affect productivity whether working from the office or at home. These can include everything from someone's living situation to their physical or sensory abilities to the nature of their work style.

The Hybrid Model offers a lot of benefits to an organisation, but it is a commitment. To do it right we know that organisations need to consider new ways to support their employees whether they're working from home or the office.

The Hybrid Model frees up the office to really dial in those experiences that are difficult to support at home. These include:

• Building culture through community socialisation,

• Supporting team collaboration that lasts longer than a video call; and

• Providing places for individual focus and concentrate when distractions at home become challenging.