By the looks of things, 2022 is bound to be a very unique year. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic rages on. As of late, it has reared its ugly head by way of introducing the omicron variant of COVID-19. Sadly, it appears as if many businesses will be forced to follow new restrictions in an effort to stop the spread of this highly contagious strain of the virus.
This doesn’t mean, however, that everyone will return to remote work. In fact, it is likely that 2022 will be a year when “hybrid work” becomes the norm for the majority of businesses.
What is hybrid work?
Hybrid work refers to a combination of working from home and working in the office. Employees from various industries are vocalizing their preference for the hybrid work model. In fact, a recent study conducted by Envoy and Wakefield Research found that 47 percent of employees would likely look for new jobs if their employers don’t adopt flexible working models.
Envoy’s Tiffany Fowell contends that workers find many benefits to the hybrid work model. Topping the list is flexibility. “In an office-first model, people are expected to be on the clock between 9 am and 5 pm every workday,” she notes, “In a hybrid work model, employees have more flexibility to get work done when they’re most productive. For example, some people work best early in the morning while others do better in the evening.”
Hoes does hybrid work help to ease stress and prevent illness?
Naturally, getting to avoid long commutes saves workers a lot of time, energy and money. Of course, it also eases the stress associated with getting to work on time. Not to mention, of course, the safety factor. With COVID-19 continuing to run rampant, employees that work from home reduce their exposure to illness.
“In our survey, a majority (66%) of employees say they’re worried about their health and safety when it comes to returning to work,” reveals Fowell, “Fewer people in the workplace lowers the chance of a sick employee infecting others. Companies can also require health screenings or proof of vaccination for employees coming into the workplace. And since people have the option to work remotely under most hybrid work models, a sick employee can stay home altogether.”
Why should companies go remote first?
Remote work also helps businesses to expand. With a hybrid work model, a business can hire and train employees from both their local communicates and distant regions. “This approach means that employees can relocate away from the office, but that the company will keep its office space for those employees who value it,” says Hailley Griffis on BuiltIn.com.
With the ongoing pandemic still a major problem, you may find that adopting a hybrid work model makes sense for your company in 2022. With Unity Payments’ Virtual Terminals, you can accept payments wherever you are working. We can turn your mobile devices into credit card terminals so that you can process payments in-person, online or on the road using your smartphone, tablet or laptop computer!
To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
