As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape the way we work, discussions of hybrid work vs remote work have become increasingly prevalent. While both models involve working outside of a traditional office setting, there are distinct differences between the two.
Hybrid work involves a combination of in-person and remote work, while remote work is entirely location-independent. Understanding the differences between these two models is essential for businesses and employees as they consider the most effective and sustainable ways to work in a post-pandemic world.
This blog covers the differences between hybrid work and remote work and the advantages and challenges associated with each model. It also provides insights into employee preferences on hybrid vs remote work, how businesses can choose the right model for their workforce, and the challenges for IT organizations in supporting hybrid work.
What is remote work?
Remote work is a work model that enables employees to work from a location other than a traditional office setting. In remote work, employees can work from home, a coworking space, a coffee shop, or any other location with an internet connection. Remote work can be full-time, part-time or occasional and is enabled by technology such as video conferencing, messaging platforms, and cloud-based collaboration tools that allow employees to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues.
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the flexibility it provides to employees and the benefits it offers to employers, such as reduced overhead costs and access to a broader pool of talent. With remote work, employers are no longer constrained to the workforce located geographically close to their offices. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, as many companies had to transition their employees to remote work to maintain business continuity while ensuring the safety of their workforce. Now that we’re emerging from the pandemic, companies are evaluating and evolving their remote work policies.
What is hybrid work?
Hybrid work combines remote work and in-person work in a flexible way. It allows employees to work either from a physical office or from a remote location, such as their home, co-working spaces or other remote locations.
In a hybrid work model, employees have more flexibility to choose where and how they work, depending on the nature of their work and personal preferences. This can be achieved through the use of technology such as video conferencing, messaging platforms, and cloud-based collaboration tools that enable remote work.
The hybrid work model has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many companies to adopt remote work practices. Hybrid work provides companies with the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining a collaborative work culture and achieving business objectives. Post-pandemic, many employees have continued to express a preference for hybrid work, as evidenced by commercial office vacancy rates remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
Do employees prefer hybrid work vs remote work?
The preference for hybrid vs remote work varies among employees and can depend on various factors, including job responsibilities, personal preferences, and individual circumstances. Some employees may prefer remote work because it allows them to have a more flexible work schedule, reduces commuting time and expenses, and provides a better work-life balance. Other employees may prefer hybrid work because it allows them to have a balance of in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote work.
Several surveys conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that many employees prefer a hybrid work model, which allows them to have the best of both worlds. For example, a survey by McKinsey Company found that 75% of remote workers would prefer a hybrid work model in the future. PwC’s US Pulse Survey found that 72% of employees would like a mix of remote and in-person work. However, it’s important to note that individual preferences may vary, and some employees may still prefer full-time remote work or full-time in-person work.
The prevalence of hybrid work varies across industries
The prevalence of hybrid work varies across industries based on several factors such as the nature of the work, the level of customer interaction required, and the extent to which technology can facilitate remote work. Some industries are more likely to embrace hybrid work arrangements, while others may be more hesitant.
Here are some examples:
- Technology: The technology industry has been at the forefront of remote work and hybrid work arrangements, given the nature of the work and the tools available. Many tech companies have been able to seamlessly transition to hybrid work during the pandemic, and some have announced permanent hybrid work arrangements.
- Finance: The finance industry has traditionally been more resistant to remote work due to the need for face-to-face client interactions and the security concerns associated with handling sensitive financial information. For example, Goldman Sachs’ CEO David Solomon is a strong proponent of in-office work, and 65% of the Goldman Sachs employees now report to the office 5 days a week. However, the pandemic has forced many finance companies to adopt remote work and hybrid work arrangements, and some have found that it can be done successfully.
- Healthcare: The healthcare industry has also been slow to adopt remote work due to the nature of the work and the need for in-person patient care. However, some healthcare companies have found ways to incorporate hybrid work arrangements for administrative staff and other non-clinical roles. The Centers for Disease Control report a significant increase in the use of telemedicine.
- Education: The education industry has also had to adapt to hybrid work arrangements during the pandemic, with many teachers and professors teaching remotely or using a hybrid approach. However, some aspects of education, such as lab work and hands-on training, are more challenging to do remotely.
- Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry has traditionally been more resistant to remote work due to the need for physical presence on the production line. However, some manufacturing companies have found ways to incorporate remote work for administrative and support staff.
The technology challenges of hybrid work
Hybrid work can make the job of the IT team more challenging in several ways:
- Supporting remote and in-office workers: With hybrid work, the IT team needs to support both remote and in-office workers, which can require additional tools and infrastructure to ensure that everyone has access to the same resources and can work seamlessly together. Digital Experience Management software, such as Riverbed Aternity, provides visibility to digital workplace teams to ensure that employees get a great experience no matter where they’re working.
- Ensuring network security: Hybrid work can increase the risk of cyber-attacks, as remote workers may be using personal devices or working from unsecured networks. The IT team needs to ensure that the network and data are secure, even when employees are working remotely. When security operations teams conduct forensic analysis of security threats, they need full-fidelity insight into every packet and flow, such as that provided by Riverbed Network Performance Management
- Managing multiple collaboration tools: With hybrid work, employees may use multiple collaboration tools, such as video conferencing, messaging apps, and project management tools, which can make it challenging for the IT team to manage and secure all of these tools and ensure that they work well together. Aternity supports the leading collaboration tools, such as Teams, Zoom, and Webex.
- Balancing flexibility and control: Hybrid work requires a balance between flexibility and control, as the IT team needs to ensure that employees have the tools they need to work effectively while also maintaining control over the network and data. This can be a delicate balancing act that requires careful management.
- Addressing technical issues: With remote work, employees may experience technical issues that are more difficult to resolve remotely. In addition, with remote work, technical issues can be caused by factors outside of IT’s control, such as Wi-Fi signal strength, ISP bandwidth, or SaaS performance. The IT team needs to be able to address these issues quickly and efficiently to minimize disruptions to work. Learn more about how Riverbed enables teams to “shift left” with automated remediation, to resolve issues at the lowest level possible and as fast as possible.
Overall, hybrid work can make the job of the IT team more challenging, as they need to support a more diverse and distributed workforce while maintaining network security, managing multiple collaboration tools, and addressing technical issues. Learn more about Riverbed’s solutions for hybrid work that make it possible to manage these challenges and enable a successful hybrid work environment. You can start a Request Demo of our solutions to see if they make sense for you.