Hybrid working also has advantages in the production sector

When it comes to the term “hybrid working”, our thoughts almost automatically go back to the coronavirus era, when almost the whole of the Netherlands was forced to sit at home and from there started working en masse in Teams, Zoom and what not. Now, a few years later, no one looks up to a work-from-home or online course. In fact, if an employer does not offer any option for flexible working, the employer branding immediately 1-0 behind.

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Flexible working: the new normal‍

It went quite fast. Most staff or administrative support staff are now working from home for one or more half-days. In fact, there are countless digital nomads, who work completely remotely from abroad all year round. However, we think that hybrid working does not only offer advantages for standard office functions. With a little bit of thought, it can also bring much-needed flexibility and efficiency to the production and transport sector.

What do we actually mean by hybrid working?‍

Hybrid working means working independently of time and place. Working at the usual workplace alternates with working from home and/or one or more other locations. Flexible working has taken off in recent years.

Since the coronavirus crisis, hybrid working has become increasingly popular, as a research by TNO from 2023.

Most of the Dutch employee population, around 65%, is now fully working on location again, but the number of working from home hours has risen from an average of 2.6 hours per week in 2019 to around 7 hours a week in 2023, which is not surprising: it offers benefits to both employers and employees.

Why is hybrid working such a good idea? ‍

Although the ball to be able to work flexibly is often the first thing an employee throws at, more and more employers are also becoming convinced of the added value of hybrid working. To list the most important advantages:

• Higher productivity
  No colleagues walking in, annoying calls here and there in the office garden and you control the temperature at your workplace yourself. No wonder that most employees say they are better able to focus on work at home and are therefore more productive.
  
• Better work-life balance
  Family care, taking children to and from school, laundry in between or going to the dentist: it's so much easier to arrange when you work from home. This better balance increases employees' happiness at work 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. This is a bonus, especially in times of a tight labor market!
• Save money
  If people can work from home or another strategic location, this can mean considerable savings on staff costs at the bottom of the line, another shows. research. Not only do you save on travel costs that you have to pay, but also on unproductive travel time. In addition, you may be able to make do with a smaller number of physical workplaces, because fewer employees are present at the same time.

In short: it is worthwhile to invest in hybrid opportunities. In addition, it is important to make clear agreements, because, of course, there are some points of attention. For example, read our blog with tips about working remotely.

Production jobs can also be more hybrid ‍

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

But in almost every job, including in the workplace, there is work that you could do at another time or from another place. And especially in a factory or logistics company, you're less likely to bump into other colleagues due to shifts, so you miss mutual contact and get some news less quickly.

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

Think task-oriented‍

Every job, including in a factory or transport, involves different tasks. Take a fresh look at that and dare to cut down tasks. Which parts really always need to be done on site and which could perhaps also be done from home or another location?

We'll give you a few ideas about tasks that can often be tackled in a hybrid way:

• updating time sheets or order administration;
• follow a refresher course via e-learning;
• working with colleagues from various locations on an end product;
• communicate along the way, for example with the planning or customers;
• updating a manual for machines or equipment;
• work meetings and communication with other employees in another shift or on location;
• evaluation interview with manager at another location;
• reading an online newsletter, memo, or other company information.

And that's not even talking about more personal reasons for working flexibly, such as reintegration opportunities in case of reduced mobility or concentration, being able to partly continue working despite informal care tasks, or not being able to get to the work location due to striking public transport.

Points of attention when working in hybrid production or logistics‍

Hybrid working is not a matter of just turning a switch. Your organisation must be process-oriented, and employees must be properly included in the options and the rules of the game. So if you're considering making work in your company a bit more flexible, at least include the following points:

1. Determination of needs

Before you radically change all work processes, it is important to coordinate with the employees themselves. What do they need? What tasks would they like or be able to do from home or on the road and what do they need in doing so? Talk about this or put a online questionnaire out. Remember — once you have indeed made the step to a hybrid — to evaluate regularly.

Has hybrid working brought you what you had in mind, or does something still need to be adjusted?

2. Equipment

Even though the employee works remotely, as an employer, you remain responsible for a good workplace. A well-prepared and user-friendly phone or laptop or a good office chair, for example, are good basic requirements.

If you purchase new equipment, don't forget to also arrange a good help desk, which can help your employee get back on fire in case of failure or questions.

3. Knowledge

Also, remember that not every employee in the workplace will be as digitally proficient. Therefore, provide appropriate computer courses at different levels and (if this applies to your company) in different languages. Of course, you can offer this course at a online knowledge platform, but considering the topic, it's a better idea not to do it entirely digitally.

The so-called blended learning, combining classroom lessons with online education can therefore be a good idea.

4. Appointments

Make clear agreements about flexible working. Between employer and employees, but also between team members. It should be clear to everyone which tasks can or cannot be done remotely, what working hours should be used and when it is necessary to be at the work location. This is not only important to prevent misunderstandings and irritations. People are often inclined to work longer at home or to be available at all times, which can disrupt the work-life balance.

So it's good to also have the defining boundaries between work and private life.

Communicate the agreements made online in a central location so that they can be easily reviewed (and updated later if necessary).

Need more ideas about hybrid working?

The concept of hybrid working and learning is relatively new and is therefore still developing. The good news is: we are at the front of the queue! So if you're looking for the latest insights or facts, you've come to the right place. Feel free to contact us, then we would love to think along with you!