Top 10 Companies Leading the Hybrid Work Revolution
Events of the past few years changed the way many businesses managed their workforce, and those changes are likely to be with us for the foreseeable future, if not forever. Forget going back to the office full time; the new business model is hybrid work. For those with jobs that allow hybrid work, that means going to the office just a few days a week, and working the rest from the comfort of their homes.
The benefits are clear: workers are happier and more productive, while businesses slim down their office space needs and use the hybrid work model as a tool to recruit top talent. Many companies are providing employees with a work-from-home stipend that allows them to purchase equipment to outfit their home offices. Meanwhile, these same companies are adopting a desk-hoteling model where workers who need to come into the office can grab the first open desk they see or reserve a huddle room for team meetings.
It's no surprise, then, that some of the most innovative companies in the marketplace have adopted a hybrid work model. Here are 10 of the most successful:
Apple
The technology giant and the world’s most valuable company shifted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, but announced in mid-2021 that going forward, employees would be expected to work in the office at least three times a week. The start date of that move was pushed back several times because of new COVID strains but is now expected to go into effect by May 2022.
Microsoft
The Seattle-based software company first announced its commitment to a hybrid work model in March 2021, with a phased approach to bringing workers back to the office. Microsoft is currently leaving it up to individual team managers to determine what works best for their employees.
Alphabet (Google)
Google has been testing various approaches to hybrid work nearly since the beginning of the pandemic. The company has been testing new multi-purpose offices and private workspaces. It’s also working to develop advanced video technology to enhance equity between employees in the office and those participating in meetings virtually.
Slack
The workplace communication tool Slack has served as the glue that for many companies has kept remote workers connected, so it’s no surprise that the company behind it is adopting a hybrid work model. Slack is also eyeing many of its new staff positions to remote candidates.
Uber
The rideshare giant encourages employees to establish clear communication channels, such as using Slack for real-time communication and email for asynchronous communication, while being judicious in holding virtual meetings to minimize fatigue. Uber also encourages workers to nurture personal connections across teams to avoid the negative impact of physical distance between staff.
nCino
At cloud banking company nCino, managers are encouraged to be creative by going beyond videoconferencing for employee meetings. Teams who have the ability are encouraged to meet in person for informal get-togethers such as lunch or morning coffee.
Twitter
Most companies today realize the value of having a social media presence, and Twitter is often a part of their strategy. Twitter is allowing employees who are able to do their jobs from home to do so permanently but has also deployed hybrid work offices in 11 cities around the United States.
LinkedIn
An internal survey of employees of professional networking site LinkedIn indicated that 87% wanted to come into the office at least part of the time. The company plans to offer a hybrid workplace with a fully remote option, allowing employees to choose how they prefer to work. The policy covers its global workforce of more than 16,000 employees.
Spotify
The popular music streaming service has introduced what it calls “My Work Mode.” Under its model employees will be able to work from home, from the office, or a combination of the two. It’s leaving the decision on how that will occur up to each employee and their manager.
Intel
The chipmaker announced in November 2021 that it was transitioning to being a “hybrid first” company. An April 2021 survey of Intel’s employees found that 90% preferred a hybrid workplace when their sites re-open.
The right tools for the hybrid workforce
The success of any hybrid work model depends in large part on the tools employees have at their disposal to facilitate communication. That’s where Yamaha Unified Communications can help.
Yamaha UC offers a variety of conference phones suitable for both the home office and the company headquarters. We also offer microphone systems perfect for spaces ranging from a large conference room to a small huddle room, as well as audio soundbars for crystal clear audio and speech privacy systems to help keep communication private. Yamaha UC’s ADECIA solution is a family of products designed to be easily installed and work seamlessly together to provide complete and customizable communications.
Need advice on the tools it takes to set up your hybrid office for maximum productivity? Reach out to one of our experts!