Hybrid working also has benefits in the manufacturing sector

When we hear the term 'hybrid working', our thoughts almost automatically drift back to the pandemic, when almost everyone in the Netherlands was forced to work from home, logging into Teams, Zoom, and more. Now, a few years later, no one is surprised by a work-from-home day or an online course. In fact, if an employer doesn't offer any opportunity for flexible working, their employer branding is immediately at a disadvantage.

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Flexible working: the new normal‍

Things have moved quite fast. Most staff members or administrative support personnel now work from home for one or more parts of the day. There are even countless digital nomads who work fully remotely from abroad all year round. Yet, we believe that hybrid working offers benefits beyond just standard office roles. With a little creative thinking, it can also bring much-needed flexibility and efficiency to the production and transport sectors.

What do we actually mean by hybrid working?‍

Hybrid working stands for time- and location-independent work. Working at the usual workplace is alternated with working from home and/or one or more other locations. Flexible working has taken off significantly in recent years.

Since the corona crisis, hybrid working has become increasingly popular, as shown by a study by TNO from 2023.

The majority of the Dutch workforce, about 65%, is now back to working fully on-site, but the number of hours worked from home has risen from an average of 2.6 hours per week in 2019 to about 7 hours per week in 2023. That is not surprising: it offers advantages to both employers and employees.

Why is hybrid working such a good idea? ‍

Although the idea of flexible working is often first brought up by an employee, more and more employers are becoming convinced of the added value of hybrid working. To list the most important benefits:

• Higher productivity
  No colleagues dropping by, annoying phone calls in the open-plan office, and you control the temperature at your workspace yourself. It’s no wonder that most employees indicate they can focus better on their work at home and are therefore more productive.
  
• Better work-life balance
  Caregiving, taking children to and from school, doing a load of laundry in between, or a quick trip to the dentist: it is so much easier to manage when you work from home. This improved balance increases employee happiness and reduces absenteeism.
• Positive employer branding
  The ability to work flexibly is not only great for current employees. It also scores well with potential applicants. Especially in times of a tight labor market, that’s a nice bonus!
• Saving money
  If people can work from home or another strategic location, this can ultimately lead to significant savings on personnel costs, according to another study. You save not only on travel expenses but also on unproductive travel time. Moreover, you might be able to manage with fewer physical workspaces because fewer employees are present at the same time.

In short: it pays to invest in hybrid options. It is important to make clear agreements, as there are, of course, some points to consider. Read our blog with tips on remote working, for example.

Production jobs can also be more hybrid ‍

The aforementioned benefits of hybrid working do not only apply to typical office jobs. Of course, some tasks can only be done at the usual work location. Repairing a car, walking a dog, fixing a leak, or injecting a patient are (still) things that require you to be physically present at the workplace.

But in almost every job, even on the shop floor, there is work that could be done at a different time or from a different place. And especially in a factory or logistics company, you are less likely to run into other colleagues due to shift work, which means you miss out on mutual contact and hear about news less quickly.

That is why we are convinced that many more opportunities can be seized in the production and transport sectors when it comes to hybrid working.

Think task-oriented‍

Every role, even in a factory or transport, involves various tasks. Take a fresh look at them and dare to break down task packages. Which parts really must be performed on-site, and which could perhaps be done from home or another location?

Here are a few ideas for tasks that can often be approached in a hybrid way:

• updating time tracking or order administration;
• completing training via e-learning;
• working on a final product with colleagues from various locations;
• communicating while on the go, for example with planning or clients;
• updating user manuals for machinery or equipment;
• team meetings and communication with other employees on a different shift or at another location;
• performance reviews with a manager at another branch;
• reading an online newsletter, memo, or other company information.

And that’s not even considering more personal reasons for working flexibly, such as reintegration options for those with reduced mobility or concentration, being able to continue working despite caregiving duties, or being unable to reach the workplace due to public transport strikes.

Key considerations for hybrid work in production or logistics‍

Hybrid work isn't just a matter of flipping a switch. Your organization needs to be set up for it in terms of processes, and employees need to be well-informed about the possibilities and the ground rules. So, if you are considering making your company's work more flexible, be sure to take the following points into account:

1. Assessing needs

Before you rigorously overhaul all your work processes, it is important to consult with the employees themselves. What do they need? Which tasks would they like to or be able to do from home or on the go, and what do they need to do so? Start a conversation about this or send out an online survey. Once you have made the move to hybrid work, don't forget to evaluate regularly.

Has hybrid working delivered what you envisioned, or do things still need to be adjusted?

2. Equipment

Even if an employee is working remotely, you as the employer remain responsible for a proper workspace. A well-prepared and user-friendly phone or laptop, or a good office chair, are essential basic requirements, for example.

If you are purchasing new equipment, don't forget to arrange a good helpdesk that can bail your employees out in case of malfunctions or questions.

3. Knowledge

Also, keep in mind that not every employee on the shop floor will be equally digitally literate. Therefore, provide appropriate computer training at different levels and (if applicable to your company) in different languages. You can, of course, offer this training on an online knowledge platform, but given the subject matter, it is a better idea not to do it entirely digitally.

So-called blended learning, which combines classroom lessons with online education, can therefore be a great idea.

4. Agreements

Establish clear agreements regarding flexible working. This applies between employers and employees, as well as among team members themselves. It must be clear to everyone which tasks can or cannot be performed remotely, which working hours should be maintained, and when it is necessary to be on-site. This is important not only to prevent misunderstandings and frustration. People working from home are often inclined to work longer hours or be available at all times, which can disrupt their work-life balance.

It is therefore important to also set boundaries between work and private life.

Communicate the agreed-upon terms in a central online location so they can be easily referenced (and updated later if necessary).

Need more ideas about hybrid working?

The concept of hybrid working and learning is relatively new and therefore still very much in development. The good news is: we are at the forefront! So if you are looking for the latest insights or facts, you have come to the right place. Feel free to contact us, and we would be happy to brainstorm with you!