Laura Slingo 
What is hybrid working? Discover flexible ways to shape your work life
In a world where workplace expectations are evolving, hybrid working stands as a flexible model blending time in the office with remote work. In this guide, we explore how it meets the needs of the modern professional by defining the concept, looking into common hybrid working arrangements, and outlining strategies to help you and your team adapt.
What is hybrid working?
Hybrid working is a way of structuring work so that employees split their time between an employer's workspace and another location, often their own home.
It moves beyond the traditional model of being solely office-based or entirely remote, allowing individuals and teams to choose how and where they work best. This might mean spending some days each week at the office collaborating with colleagues and the rest working from elsewhere.
While the specifics vary between organisations, the common thread is flexibility. Hybrid working recognises that work can happen in many places, helping employers and employees find arrangements that suit their circumstances and roles.
7 types of hybrid working arrangements
There's no one-size-fits-all solution for hybrid working. The approach will depend on factors like your organisation's culture and the kind of work you do. To help you navigate your choices, here are seven common types of hybrid working arrangements:
1. Flexible hybrid work arrangement
The flexible hybrid model allows employees to choose where and when they want to work. Maybe you prefer to spend a quiet day at home focusing on a big project, or you'd rather pop into the office to catch up with colleagues and brainstorm ideas. It's all about having the choice.
2. Fixed hybrid work schedule
With a fixed schedule, the company sets which days or times employees are in the office and when they're remote. For example, everyone might be in on Wednesdays for team meetings, while Mondays and Fridays are home-working days. This arrangement is predictable and can help keep everyone on the same page.
3. Office-first hybrid model
In this setup, being in the office is the default. However, employees still get a few occasional days to work from home. For example, employers may mandate a set number of days to work in the office each week but allow staff to choose the days. It's a nice balance if you enjoy the buzz of office life but also want some quieter days.
4. Remote-first hybrid setup
Here, the norm is working remotely most of the time, whether that's from your spare room, a local cafe, or wherever suits you. Trips into the office or a shared workspace happen only when needed – great if you value flexibility and fewer commutes.
5. Shift-based hybrid work
If certain roles need to be covered on-site around the clock, a shift-based hybrid working model can help. One group is in the office while the other works remotely, and then they switch. Everyone gets a turn as flexibility, while important on-site tasks are always handled.
6. Voluntary hybrid work model
With the voluntary approach, you decide how you want to work. If you love the energy of the office, come in. If you're happier at home, stay put. Just remember there might be occasional team days where everyone gets together face-to-face.
7. Team-specific hybrid work plan
Sometimes, certain jobs are better suited to remote work than others. Under a team-specific hybrid model, roles that need close contact with colleagues or customers stay in the office, while other teams can work from home. It helps everyone play to their strengths.
Benefits of hybrid working
When hybrid working is done right, it can offer more than just a change of scenery – it can have a genuinely positive impact on everyone involved. Below are some of the key ways that hybrid working can benefit both employers and employees:
Happier and more engaged teams
When employees can choose the environment that best supports their productivity – be it a focused day at home or a lively office – they often feel more motivated, valued, and invested in the organisation's goals.
Attracting and retaining talent
By offering flexibility that meets evolving professional expectations, employers signal to current and prospective staff that they understand their needs. This can improve retention, attract top candidates, and enhance employer branding.
Lower costs
Reduced reliance on full-time office attendance can lead to efficiencies in space usage, utilities, and general overheads. These savings can then be channelled into areas that drive growth or professional development.
Wider talent pool
With remote options available, a company's search for specialised expertise isn't limited by location. This broader reach enables employers to find people with fresh insights and experiences, strengthening the team's capabilities.
Better work-life balance
The freedom to adjust working hours and locations helps professionals better manage personal commitments. When individuals feel supported in balancing work and life, they're often more focused, resilient, and productive.
Tips for implementing hybrid working
Whether you're considering requesting this flexibility or helping your team adapt, here are some tips for making hybrid working a reality:
Understand rights and responsibilities
If you're requesting hybrid arrangements, clarify whether it's a formal contract change or an informal agreement.
Make sure you understand any potential implications, such as where your “official” workplace is registered or whether there could be insurance issues, especially if you plan to work from different locations. When in doubt, seek advice so you know exactly what your arrangement entails.
Shape your workspace and ensure access to tools
Identify what helps you work effectively – reliable technology, ergonomic equipment, secure systems – and clarify what costs your organisation covers. Managers should guide staff so everyone understands available resources.
With the right hybrid workplace setup, you'll feel more productive, comfortable, and supported. Ultimately, investing in solid tools and environments makes hybrid work run smoothly.
Build skills and confidence
Leading or working within a hybrid team involves developing new skills.
Managers may need support and training to coordinate mixed in-person and remote schedules, run effective hybrid meetings, and set clear goals that make sense outside a traditional office environment. Similarly, staff can benefit from learning how to structure their day, stay productive from home, and use digital platforms smoothly.
Embracing these learning opportunities can help everyone feel more confident navigating this new way of working.
Prioritise wellbeing
Hybrid working can free up time usually spent commuting, giving you more room for family, exercise, or rest. At the same time, it's easy for work to spill into your personal life without the natural boundaries of an office.
Being mindful of your own wellbeing is key, whether that means agreeing on “offline” hours with your manager, taking proper breaks, or using any support your organisation offers – such as guidance on digital wellbeing or training on managing work-life balance.
Focus on outcomes and value
In a hybrid setup, success is measured less by hours seen at a desk and more by what you deliver.
If you're a manager, this means setting clear objectives, having regular check-ins, and providing constructive feedback based on results.
As a team member, it's about understanding what's expected of you, focusing on meaningful contributions, and feeling trusted to work in a way that helps you excel.
Ensure fairness and inclusion
Hybrid working can broaden access to opportunities, but it also comes with risks – such as the feeling of being overlooked if you're not regularly on-site.
Make inclusion a priority. If you're a manager, ensure responsibilities and chances to shine are shared fairly. As a member of staff, don't hesitate to raise concerns if you feel distant or excluded.
Good hybrid practices, like rotating who attends in-person meetings or ensuring online participants have an equal voice, help everyone feel valued.
Communicating with clarity and intention
Without the everyday office buzz, communication needs to be more deliberate. Consider which channels, like video calls, instant messaging, and shared documents, help everyone stay up-to-date and connected.
Encourage openness so colleagues feel comfortable reaching out or asking for help. The goal is to maintain that sense of teamwork and trust, even when you're not all in the same place.
Looking for a job that offers better hybrid working arrangements? Submit your CV for a free review to ensure it captures the attention of your prospective employer.