Hybrid work is a flexible working arrangement adopted by organisations whereby employees split their time between remote work, often from home, and working in their employer's physical workspace.
Research consistently indicates that employees appreciate and seek flexible work options, including the opportunity to engage in hybrid work models.
The Changing Working Environment
Our working habits changed in an instant 3 years ago. “Work from home” became everyday reality while millions turned spare bedrooms and kitchen tables into makeshift home offices. Now, we’re beginning to see the long-term impact of these changes on our working lives and it seems that the 9 to 5 office routine is about to be consigned to the history books.
In 2022, the Office of National Statistics released the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey. When asked about their return to office working, more than 80% of participants stated they planned some form of hybrid working.
Only 8% wanted a permanent return to the pre-2020 model of solely office-based working, which was down from 11% when the same question was asked in April 2021.
More and more organisations are adopting a 'hybrid working' structure.
The data clearly shows that the longer workers spend experiencing these new models of work, the less they want to return to the way things used to be.
Employees keen to take advantage of the increased flexibility and improved work-life balance of hybrid working have been seeking out ways of making their home office setup as efficient, and comfortable, as possible.
What Makes a Good Home Office?
While you might be tempted to say better coffee and the lack of office politics, many people are finding the number one benefit of hybrid working is the ability to completely tailor their home office setup to suit their needs.
We’ve long been aware of the potential health issues that arise from spending most of our day sitting behind a desk. From RSI and lower back pain to decreased mood and weight gain, a poor home office setup can affect our lives in a wide range of ways.
Top Tips For Hybrid Working
Now that we are responsible for maintaining our own workspaces, it’s more important than ever to understand the factors that go into creating the perfect setup. We’ll be focusing on three main areas where you can make changes to improve your home office.
1. Invest in a High-Quality Standing Desk
At Ergo Desks it’s no secret that we love height adjustable standing desks. We’ve long believed that adjustable desks are the future of workspaces and our sales reflect that you believe that too. That’s why we offer a wide range of high-quality standing desks at affordable prices, perfect for you to build your home office setup around.
Standing desks offer a range of health benefits including improved posture, reduced back pain and increased circulation. Another huge benefit is the fact that even standing still burns significantly more calories than sitting with some estimates claiming that standing for just 3 hours a day would burn an additional 135 calories. That adds up to a colossal 34,000 additional calories burned every year, the equivalent of almost 10 pounds of fat.
Not only do standing desks help with our physical health, but studies have also shown that they can help improve productivity, focus and creativity.Our Top Standing Desks
- With over 1000 sold across the UK, The Liberty Standing Desk is one of our most popular products, and it’s not hard to see why. With a solid steel frame, memory control options and a smooth motorised transition from sitting to standing, Liberty adds an elegant standing solution to any home office.
- For those on a budget, The Altitude Standing Desk offers many of the same great features as The Liberty Standing Desk with a smaller and lighter frame and an entry-level price point.
- If space is more your concern, The Atlas Mini Standing Desk packs an impressive 120kg load capacity into its small frame while the 100cm x 60cm desktop provides plenty of space for work.
Need help choosing the perfect standing desk for your workplace or home office? Get in contact with our expert team with any queries and check out our extensive range of standing desks here.
2. Invest in an Ergonomic Office Chair
While we spend much of our time at Ergo Desks preaching the positives of standing while you work, we also appreciate the need for quality, ergonomic office chairs in any home office setup. A good office chair can help reduce back pain and encourage correct posture as well as increasing comfort levels while you work.
Our Top Office Chairs
- The Influence Stylish Ergonomic Mesh Chair comes in either white or black, with a choice of grey or black arms. The breathable mesh back and headrest provide comfort as well as style while the height adjustable gel arm pads protect your arms and elbows from the aches and pains that can be caused by cheaper, plastic models.
- If a less traditional seating solution interests you then the Evo Movement Stool might be perfect. At just £210 this stool is an affordable option for those that frequently alternate sitting and standing that can easily tuck under your desk when not in use to leave your workspace tidy.
Discover our complete range of quality ergonomic office chairs here. And for tips on how to choose an ergonomic office chair, check out this blog.
3. Desk Accessories
No home office setup would be complete without some finishing touches to compliment your new desk and office chair.
Our Top Standing Desk Accessories
- Our premium vegan leather desk mat is great for those that love a tidy workspace while also providing protection for your desktop. With a handy toolbar running along the top, ideal for storing pens and other small items, as well as a magnetic cable holder, the desk mat helps keep everything you need within reach without compromising on organisation.
- From desk mats to floor mats, our Standing Desk Floor Mat can help relieve the issues associated with prolonged periods of time spent standing on hard flooring. By offering a softer base for standing desk users, the Standing Desk Floor Mat reduces back pain, improves blood circulation, and crucially lessens pressure on the spine.
- Our easy to assemble Monitor Arms solve the problem of incorrect monitor height problem by allowing users to easily adjust the position of the screen by tilting, swivelling and height adjusting the arms to ensure that the display sits in the perfect position.
Browse our full collection of standing desk accessories here.
4. Establish Clear Communication
Communication is key within any organisation, especially when the team are working from home.
To bridge the gap between remote and in-office workers, and ensure operations run smoothly, it is absolutely crucial that management ensure there are clear channels of communication between the team when working remotely.
This might be via email, instant messaging platforms, or project management tools.
Employees must also have access to the resources and support they need to be successful in a hybrid work environment. This may include providing technology equipment, offering training on remote work best practices, or implementing policies to support mental health and well-being.
5. Encourage Social Interaction
Finally, it's a good idea to foster opportunities for social interaction and team building, both virtually and in person.
This could include virtual coffee breaks, team-building activities, or in-person gatherings for those who are comfortable and able to attend.
There we have it - 5 top tips to help you promote a successful hybrid working environment.
Need help choosing the perfect standing desk for your workplace or home office? Get in contact with our expert team with any queries and check out our extensive range of standing desks here.
Our desks come with a 7 year warranty, 30 day risk free return, as well as access to a UK-based customer service team to answer any questions that you might have.
Otherwise, our standing desk blog provides more useful tips on using a standing desk for a more balanced lifestyle. Feel free to contact us with any questions, with the handy live chat feature on our site, or via email at info@ergodesks.co.uk.
Published on 18/07/2022
Updated on 26/03/2024
