Hybrid working and working from home: what are the benefits for employers?
Hybrid working and working from home: what are the benefits for employers?
Now that many employers offer employees some degree of freedom in where they work, more and more employees are opting for the flexibility to work partly from home. The benefits are clear: higher productivity, no commuting, and an easier balance between work and private life.
At the same time, spending regular time in the office also has its advantages: a clear separation between work and home, and the chance to connect with colleagues. As an employer, you can support your team in finding the right balance by listening to their needs and being flexible. In short: you can play an active role in encouraging hybrid working.
What does hybrid working mean for you as an employer?
When your employees work partly from home, there are a number of factors to consider. You can read more about them on this overview page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is working from home mandatory?
Working from home is not an employee's right, but legally, it's an option you, as an employer, can decide on. Therefore, an employee cannot simply force working from home. On the other hand, you cannot refuse a request to work from home without a reason.
Is the position suitable for working from home?
Not every position is suitable for working from home. Positions that require personal contact with colleagues or clients are less likely to be considered. Positions that focus on information processing are suitable, and the results of the work are easily measurable. In many positions, at least some of the work, such as administrative tasks, can be performed from home.
Are you allowed to monitor an employee while they're working from home?
Monitoring employees while they're working from home is difficult. It's impossible to see if the employee is actually working. Of course, your organization can track whether and to what extent an employee's productivity decreases or increases when they frequently work from home.
How do you monitor working conditions when working from home?
By law, you are responsible for the design of the workspace and the materials employees use. Scheduling an annual inspection of the home workspace is one option.
Can you revoke a work-from-home day?
Depending on the circumstances, you can also revoke a work-from-home day. You must then be able to demonstrate that your organization has a significant interest in doing so. However, also focus on consulting with the employee. Make them a reasonable proposal and explore alternatives, such as reducing the amount of work from home instead of revoking it.