Hybrid Work: A Step Towards Positive ESG Change
No one could have predicted the massive shift to remote work caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many companies switched to WFH to avoid any potential risk to their employees’ health and wellbeing. But remote work also had an adverse effect on company culture and interpersonal relationships within teams – so most companies are looking for a safe, collaborative option that could help them restore team spirit and still offer the benefits of remote work.
Hybrid work can accommodate these emerging needs but it comes with its own, new challenges. Optimal office utilization, energy efficiency and cost savings are all aspects of hybrid work that should be considered when switching to this model.
How to turn the challenges of hybrid work into advantages
One of the difficulties companies encounter when switching to a hybrid work model is maintaining optimal office utilization: naturally, at no point would all employees be at the office at the same time. This could lead to unnecessary expenses for rent, utilities and even perks like fruit or company breakfasts. And of course, when it comes to the environment, running the AC and electricity on full speed for a half-empty office is in no way eco-friendly.
In order to solve this problem, companies may need a workplace management system to get an overview of office usage, and then use this information to optimize costs. Solutions like Desk Buddy can help you gather data about how much office space is being used, so you can make decisions on whether you can scale down by renting a smaller place or reducing your current one.
Energy efficiency is also another factor that can be improved based on reports from a workplace management solution. Not only can your company benefit from an overview of the particular spots in the office that are being used, but you can also switch on and off reservable spots. This makes it easier to control where your employees will be positioned and it could mean that the “closed off” areas don’t have to use electricity or AC, as they won’t be used by anyone.
Perhaps the biggest environmental factor that is offset by remote work and hybrid work models is the pollution generated by commuting employees. A recent study showed that the amount of nitrogen dioxide emissions – the main pollutant generated by traffic emissions – decreases by 10 % when switching to remote work four days a week. This could be a powerful lever for sustainability-conscious companies.
How does hybrid work tie in with ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance)?
ESG is all about improving the environmental and social sustainability of businesses and corporations. As we already covered, hybrid work could be beneficial to the environment by cutting down on pollution, waste in the office and inefficient energy use. It could be important to both of these aspects both for the reasons mentioned above, but also for the fact that it affects employee wellbeing and mental health. Perhaps the main way to create a successful hybrid working model will be by offering teammates plentiful opportunities to communicate, collaborate and innovate across corporate and home offices simultaneously. Hybrid work is an opportunity for employers to increase diversity and retention, hire workers from other places, and give more flexibility and freedom to working parents and disabled employees. It empowers teams to communicate and collaborate in diverse environments and situations, thus strengthening their bond and team spirit. In addition, hybrid work means better employee work-life balance, flexibility and more personal time to spend on their hobbies, aspirations and favorite activities.
When it comes to the “S” in ESG, hybrid work offers the best of both worlds – both for those employees who prefer working from the office and for those who need the flexibility of working from home.
Moreover, hybrid work opens the field for better governance as well – it provides companies with more options to cut costs – from utilities and office maintenance to the reduction of redundant office space. And it helps them enforce safety and health measures when those are needed.
Will your company be implementing a hybrid work model? Learn more about our solution Desk Buddy, your best friend in managing the hybrid workplace.
