Does The Hybrid Working Method Benefit Small Businesses?

When the pandemic hit, and many offices were forced to close, businesses were worried about how working from home might affect employee productivity. Now, with restrictions being lifted and people being encouraged to return to work by the government, it would seem companies have a more progressive view about how the working from home model could work.

A recent survey carried out by Hitachi Capital Business Finance when the first Covid restrictions were lifted last year made some interesting discoveries. 58% of people working for larger companies were planning to return to the office. However, only 41% of employees in small business environments were getting ready to return full time. In fact, small business employees were twice as likely to continue with a working from home approach - 27% compared to 14%.

When it comes to small businesses, it was found that a hybrid working approach may offer the best solution for all concerned. Hybrid working is a combination of spending some time in the office with the remainder working from home, and while this offers a range of benefits to all business types, those afforded to small businesses are much greater.

The Advantages of Hybrid Working

As anyone with a business management degree will tell you, the costs of running a small business are proportionately greater than those of a larger company. When you offer hybrid working, you can actually employ more staff without actually needing to expand your business premises and this can result in a great saving. Carefully organised hybrid working will allow your staff to share their desks and days in the office.

While there are advantages to being able to meet your colleagues in person, what employers have discovered over the last 24 months is that employees who work from home are actually more productive. This is great news for employers, particularly those with smaller businesses.

The Disadvantages of Hybrid Working

The main disadvantage of this style of working is that it can be harder to keep track of where different employees are up to if you have a team working on a project. With the right skills from a business management degree, however, it is possible to learn how to work with this type of situation rather than it working against you.

Some employees do not like a more hybrid working solution, preferring instead the routine of coming into the office each day. This is something that employers should be able to work into any office routine, regardless of the size of their business.

Business Courses at the University of Bolton – The Future of Work

The field of business can be a fascinating one and a business management course can help you develop all those skills and knowledge that will help you at the start of a career path that will offer you plenty of opportunities along the way, whether you’re looking into managing a hybrid workforce, or a team of staff in the office.

At the University of Bolton, we offer a range of business courses. Our state-of-the-art facilities and specialist lecturers can provide you with the perfect setting for learning everything that you need to help you pursue a great career in the varied world of business.

The University of Bolton has been voted in the Top 10 in the UK for 'Satisfied with Teaching' for the second year running*. Our educational expertise and welcoming, supportive, inclusive environment allow our students to truly experience #UniAsItShouldBe.

Whether you would like to learn more about the university or one of our business courses, we would be delighted to talk to you. Our team of helpful advisors can be contacted at +44 (0)1204 900 600 or via enquiries@bolton.ac.uk. Click here to see the range of courses we offer.

*The Guardian University Guide - 2021, 2022