Hybrid working is now officially in the Oxford English Dictionary, defined as
“Of employment, education, etc: providing flexible models for working or learning, specifically by using digital communications technology to allow effective remote access and home working in combination with or in preference to traditional office or teaching environments.”
Now a recognised word, the term ‘hybrid work’ screams tracksuit pants and regular sleep-ins. A dream come true for some but for how long are humans who thrive of social connection and meaningful relationships, supposed to sit alone in their make-shift office?
Work-from-home perks that companies offer in a hybrid model (enabling them to cut out a LOT of office costs) can often mask how much we value human connection.
“Two-thirds said they work directly with someone they wouldn’t be able to pick out of a line-up and recognize by name only” (Bryan Robinson 2021, Forbes) a study revealed, noting the dilemmas surrounded by hybrid working.
With less reasons to leave the house, we significantly decrease our exposure to different environments. Many of our connections and exposure to people and cultures are explored on our daily commutes, the essence of learning and experience is taken away from us without realising.
For those who’ve spent years, if not decades working in an office conforming to a traditional work routine, then the freedom of a hybrid workplace is appealing but the real issue is for our current and future generations.
“On a typical remote workday 63% walk only to go to the bathroom or kitchen. Meanwhile, 24% of remote workers never leave their home.” (Bryan Robinson, 2021, Forbes)
Without continuous interaction during our daily routines, what is the impact hybrid work has on the growth of social skills, mental wellbeing and societal awareness?
The solution to saving our future generations from becoming hermits that lack social and mental wellbeing is plain & simple – coworking spaces.
An employer opting for a strict ‘WFH’ hybrid routine is a red flag in 2022, the pandemic taught us a lot but most of all, how much we value human connection, especially here at FLEX.
Companies need to invest in their employees, leaving them closed off and stuck behind a screen isn’t the definition of a hybrid workplace. Faces in person are hard to ignore, but faces behind a screen can be switched off and hidden. Co-workspaces foster each companies own personal idea of a hybrid workplace whilst establishing connection, wellbeing and exposure to an array of individuals.
FLEX co-working takes the ‘hard’ part of an office away, providing practical office tools and spaces whilst facilitating a sense of community. The pressure workplaces feel to create community and wellbeing are passed onto FLEX, from there it’s dependant on the individual’s desired level of involvement.
It’s not to say that we must cut out WFH routines altogether, there’s no better feeling than moving 3 steps from your bed to your desk at 8:59am right? FLEX offers month-to-month terms, allowing you to come and only pay for only what you need. Tell your boss that the strict WFH routine was left behind in 2021, its 2022 and co-working is now the new trend.
References
Bryan Robinson, P., 2021. New Research Shows Remote And Hybrid Workers Suffering Physical And Mental Health Dilemmas. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/11/01/new-research-shows-remote-and-hybrid-workers-suffering-physical-and-mental-health-dilemmas/?sh=7ea3ab585aa9> [Accessed 1 February 2022].
