A Primer on Different Work Models for the Modern Workplace

The modern workplace is hard to define since it conjures up different images for different people. 

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For example, the workplace of the past was nearly always an office with cubicles, which then gave way to open-plan spaces. But these days it can be anything from stand-up desks to home office setups.

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Since many companies are attempting to move beyond the traditional 9-5 and redefine the parameters for productivity, now’s as good a time as any to take a look at your own work model. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all model since each work dynamic, team, and department has its own route to optimal output.

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One way to reimagine what you can accomplish in the workplace is to experiment with different work models. The aim of this guide is to show you what’s out there, so you can make an informed decision as to which work models fit your criteria for a productive workforce.

In-Office

Let’s start with the classic in-office work model, but look at it through the critical lens of recent times. When you think of full-time work in an office space, it’s easy to assume it’s the only way to operate a business, but this is no longer the case.

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However, that isn’t to say that this work model can’t work for some companies, as there are several compelling reasons to work solely from the office. 

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Benefits

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• Social Interaction

One benefit that the in-office work model provides that few others do is the facilitation of ongoing social interaction. The great shake-up that the COVID pandemic caused has made many of us realize just how important it is to have people to talk to - even at work.

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• Straightforward Supervision 

A common downside reported with remote-oriented work models is that employees could be taking advantage of the lack of oversight and not working as hard as they could be.

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How to support the in-office work model with monitoring software:

The best way to track employees and support the return to the office is with internet monitoring software like Insightful. With this software, you can keep a virtual eye on employees, and create a wealth of data to inform future performance appraisals.

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Limitations

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• Distraction-riddled Work Environments

If there’s anything to be learned from being forced to work remotely, it’s that the office can be a hard place to focus for anyone, especially neurodivergent employees. Phones ring, meetings are called, and coworkers hover; all of which can make it difficult to get things done throughout the day.

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Remote

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The remote work model is for employers that want to empower their employees and give them partial or full autonomy over how they work. In this model, employees are free to work completely from home, removing the need for an office space.

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Of course, this model is limited to companies whose IT infrastructure can support remote work and those which don’t require in-person meetings.

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To make the most of this model, it’s wise to implement employee monitoring software. Insightful has solutions for different business needs, so whether you let your teams use personal computers or work computers you can effectively track their productivity.

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How to support the remote work model with monitoring software:

What many employee monitoring software reviews tell you is that some solutions, like Insightful, can present you with a detailed productivity report for each remote employee. As such, you don’t need to rely on trust alone to make sure your employees are getting their work done.

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Remote work raises many concerns for managers, since it can feel as if employees have free reign to spend their work time as they wish. With monitoring software, you can make sure than an hour spent is an hour spent productively.

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Benefits

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• Low overheads

One of the best aspects about adopting a remote work model is how a company can significantly lower its overhead costs. No longer will you need to shell out monthly expenses such as office rent and utility bills, as for employees, they’ll save money on commutes.

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• Employee Independence

The remote work model hands over the reins to employees, and this is a big draw. Not only will you be able to attract top talent from around the world (since positions will be location-independent) but you’ll also empower employees to find ways of working that suit their strengths.

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Limitations

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• Isolation

In a remote work model, employees are cut off from their superiors and coworkers in a way that can stifle collaboration and cause them to feel socially isolated. 

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Hybrid

The hybrid work model takes the best of the in-office and remote models to reimagine what the standard workweek can look like. 

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Many major tech companies have adopted a hybrid work model, which has employees working from home for a few days out of the week but still reporting to the office  the rest of the time. As such, you can supervise employees and encourage social interaction to reduce the risk of burnout while also giving them the freedom to be as productive as possible.

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Benefits

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•  Better work-life balance

Employees working in the hybrid model have the freedom to create a work-life balance that feels healthy to them. They can enjoy the flexibility of spending time at home with family, but also get to develop their professional skills and benefit from in-person mentorship at the office.

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• Lower risk of employee burnout

As a result of  healthy work-life balance, there’s a lower risk of employee burnout with the hybrid model. This is unlike the in-office model which can become an unrelenting work environment with little space to be alone and truly focus, and the remote model which can foster feelings of isolation.

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Limitations

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• Logistical Challenges

To fully succeed with the hybrid work model, you need to set the office up to cater to remote and in-person employees. Meetings now have to include not only employees at the office, but others working from home, so you need the technology to make that happen seamlessly.

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How to support the hybrid work model with monitoring software:

With hybrid work, it’s wise to assess both in-office and remote productivity levels so you can gauge whether or not there’s a substantial drop off in either way of working. When you confront the time data, you have a clear and objective way of knowing whether the hybrid work model aligns with your output expectations and productivity goals.

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How Can Data Analytics Improve the Measurement of Employees’ Performance?

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For any work model to pay dividends in productivity levels, you need to have solid metrics in place to track employee performance. 

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With a robust monitoring system, you can have all the data you’ll ever need at your fingertips to effectively track productivity. Employee computer monitoring software Insightful goes the extra mile, providing more than just time data and accurate payrolls.

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Here’s what you get when you monitor employees’ internet usage through Insightful:

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•  Regular screenshots that you can set up at your own intervals to keep employees honest and accountable
•  The ability to mark different activities as ‘productive’, ‘neutral’, or ‘unproductive’
•  A color-coded activity chart to monitor idle and productive time
• Software that tracks employee productivity and gives you the day-to-day lowdown with a real-time insights dashboard

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And so much more. 

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