Making Hybrid Work, Work — How to Ask for a Hybrid Work Schedule

The 2020s are poised to be all about restructuring the workplace. One day, employees are winning the battle to work remotely; the next, offices are pushing hard for a total return to the office.

If your company's management team has been planning for a full-time return to the office and you're nervous about losing your remote days, then you've likely wondered how to ask for a hybrid work schedule. And you're not alone.

A hybrid work schedule has emerged as the go-to compromise between office culture and employees who want more flexible schedules. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that most employees and leaders prefer a hybrid working environment over fully remote or in-office schedules.

So, let's explore how to ask for a hybrid work schedule.

How to Get Your Boss to Agree to a Hybrid Work Schedule

To get the best hybrid work schedule possible, you first have to convince your boss. Fortunately, there are a lot of great reasons that a hybrid work schedule benefits them as well. A hybrid work environment:

• Increases employee productivity
• Boosts morale
• Improves the employee retention rate
• Saves money

Think of convincing your boss as making a sale. The potential customer has pain points you can alleviate — you just have to show them how. 

The first step will be showing them all you've accomplished while working remotely. Compile a list of your top contributions over the last few years and support them with metrics – dollar figures, percentages, etc. Show how you’ve been able to increase your personal productivity while working from home and how it’s impacted the bottom line.

Next, inform them of the positive third-party statistics surrounding hybrid work schedules. For example, Forrester contends that 70% of U.S. and European companies plan to adopt hybrid work schedules because of the proven benefits – they'll want to keep up with the competition.

Finally, pivot to the money they will save in needing less office space and costly resources if they embrace a hybrid work environment.

When to Work in the Office vs. at Home

If you're given the option to pick and choose which day you work remotely vs. at the office, that's great! But, which day is best? 

While choosing your preferred day can come down to a personal or practical choice, Quartz at Work found that Wednesday is generally the best day to work from home. A midweek work-from-home day prevents midweek slumps, eliminates the boss's feelings that you're getting an extra long weekend, and ensures accountability.

If you're given the option of multiple days, then it's best to choose days in the middle of the week. This will help you start your week with a focused day of setting goals in the office and then reinforce the benefits of your hybrid work schedule when you return at the end of the week with all of your weekly goals met.

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Being Productive in Different Spaces

Home can be distracting for remote employees, and on the other hand, you may find it challenging to reacclimate to office life if you’re used to the peace and quiet of working remotely. However, if you set yourself up for success and stick to a plan, you can be more productive than ever. 

The first step is creating a productive work environment. This doesn’t mean putting up motivational posters — unless that’s your thing. Creating a productive hybrid work environment means cultivating a specific workspace that you want to be in and that makes you feel energized and creative.

A few more tips on being productive while working remotely are:

• Set a schedule and stick to it.
• Take breaks to get up and walk around.
• Connect with your coworkers through chats.
• Set daily goals and stick to them.

How to Overcome Challenges

A hybrid work schedule can come with its own challenges — such as work-from-home burnout. When you have all day to work from home, you may find yourself working later than usual. However, this can be counter-productive and burn you out faster than working from the office. To avoid work-from-home burnout, respect the clock and walk away when the day is done.

Another challenge hybrid workers face is feeling that they're spending too much time at home. If you feel this way, seek out additional work locations such as coffee shops, co-working spaces, or a quiet corner in your neighborhood park. Varying your workspace from time to time can help you from climbing the walls. 

Building relationships with colleagues can also sometimes be hindered by a hybrid work environment. This is because all employees may not be in the office on the same day. Be sure to check in with your colleagues, even to bounce ideas off one another, or discuss your latest work. You could also plan to work in the office on days when you know your colleagues will be there as well.

Get the Hybrid Work Schedule You Want

Finding the best hybrid work schedule can be a dream come true. Get even more on-the-job advice in our Resource Center.