Commuting has been an integral part of adult life for decades, but that changed in 2020 when everyone was forced to adapt to new business practices, including remote work. While some were happy about reducing the cost of commuting to work, others were wondering what effect restrictions would have on our social lives.

Nowadays, when everyone is trying to adjust to the “new normal”, the public is still divided on the topic. There are just as many who detest going back to offices as those who can’t wait to sit at their old desk. The one solution that would make everyone happy is the so-called hybrid model, in which employees work a certain number of days from home and the rest from the office.

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Average Travel Time to Work is Higher Than Ever

Companies argue that being in the office increases productivity, creates a sense of community, and makes communication easier. At the same time, workers say travel time to work is getting longer and they prefer to have a couple of hours extra each day. They are even asking for reimbursement of travel costs.

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The cost of commuting to work is oftentimes reduced to pure finances, yet everyone who has to sit in their car or on a bus will tell you it’s not as much about money as it is about time. According to a study, the traffic jams get longer and longer. Hours quickly add up in a year:

·  A Genevan spends 91 hours on top of their regular commute.

·  If you live in Zurich, account for an additional 88 hours.

·  A citizen of Munich will spend 74 more hours stuck in traffic.

·  A citizen of Berlin will spend 71 hours in addition to regular commuting times.

·  If you live in Vienna, you’ll spend 57 extra hours trying to get to work and back home.

However, none of this is as shocking as the stats for London. Londoners must magically create an additional 148 in their average commute time. The Big Smoke shows no mercy!

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Psychological Wellbeing and the Consequences of Commuting to Work

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Long journeys affect not only financial but also psychological well-being. Spending time commuting to work is often perceived as time lost. Therefore, many people experience:

·  Stress;

·  Anxiety;

·  Decreased job satisfaction;

·  Frustration;

·  Disruption in the sensitive work-life balance;

·  Depression.

That being said, it is important to consider the other side of the coin: some psychologists argue that for a sizable group of people, the travel to work and back home is the only time they have without taking any social roles. In other words, the cost of commuting to work, no matter how high, is worth it, as we can be ourselves, even if only for an hour a day.

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Is the Hybrid Model the Future?

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Many companies still struggle to convince employees to return to their cubicles, yet others are succeeding by implementing the hybrid model. One of the biggest buzzwords in the past few years describes a flexible working schedule, in which employees can freely adjust their working hours, as long as they spend some time in the office. Depending on the company, it can be one day, two days, or any other number that both parties agree upon.

Advantages of the Hybrid Model

The hybrid model could be the next big thing in business, and after looking at all its advantages, it is easy to see why:

·  It allows great flexibility to employees who can manage their time both in and out of the office more effectively, leading to a healthier work-life balance.

·  Considerably lower cost of commuting to work in both time, money, and mental health.

·  Occasional office meetups of all employees can improve their relationships and the company culture.

·  Lower operating costs for companies.

·  Greater retention.

·  Positive environmental impact.

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Even so, not everyone is happy with the new hybrid model. Critics accentuate organisational difficulties, lack of efficient coordination, and teamwork challenges without precedent. Less recognition, fewer growth opportunities, and unclear expectations are also often mentioned.

Despite all that, it is obvious downsides are less prevalent, and the majority of problems can be solved by using advanced software such as Flexopus. Due to hybrid working models, offices can rent smaller spaces because employees are never in the office at the same time. The answer to less desks in the office is: desk sharing. Our desk-sharing software Flexopus seamlessly adapts to the needs of both big and small companies and helps them organise work spaces for maximum effectiveness. Booking desks, meeting rooms, and parking spaces for the days you are in the office has never been easier!

Is the Hybrid Model Here to Stay?

Judging by recent surveys, the hybrid model is here to stay as it provides the best of both worlds. Even though some companies are still reluctant to implement it, the workforce is wholeheartedly embracing the hybrid model. It is important to understand that every employee has a different idea of what this entails, and finding the balance that hits everyone's soft spots could be as challenging as returning to the office full-time.

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If you want our team’s expertise on the successful implementation of hybrid work models in your office, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!