Hybrid Working from a Leasing Perspective

What is the Hybrid Work Model?

Hybrid is a blanket term that describes a working model where people can split their time between home and the office. By design, this style promotes flexibility and agility and allows workers to get the best of in-person and remote work. Hybrid work is a flexible policy that empowers people to choose where (and when) they work; this typically is a combination of working from home and the office.

Employees may have set schedules, where they work at home three days a week and in the office two days  or may choose to work from home or the office full-time. This means teams who used to gather in the office now work as hybrid teams. They connect using technology rather than a shared physical space. 

As these are relatively new and evolving concepts, it is important to understand what is meant by flexible and hybrid working. Flexible working is the when; this is predominantly based on working hours and how the traditional 9 to 5 can be adapted to create a better work/life balance. Hybrid working is the where; this speaks to the combination of remote and office-based work.  

Ms Tu Thi Hong An, Director of Commercial Leasing said: “’Work from anywhere’ is the new mantra for work in the  post-pandemic era. As employers and their teams consider how best to return to the office, hybrid and flexible arrangements are attractive commutes are reduced, schedules are more flexible and companies realise they could also make long-term savings.”

Hybrid versus Flexible Offices 

Flexible office space includes serviced, managed, and shared offices, and co-working spaces. Meanwhile, a hybrid office is an arrangement in which a company's managers and employees sometimes work together in a physical office and sometimes remotely. The idea is to provide the best of both worlds for workers and employers. 

Often with flexible office solutions, many companies share the same floor, space, and utilities. As such, tenants save on costs while using the space and the facilities comfortably without restriction. However, such shared offices are limited in terms of the businesses that can use them. They are mostly used by start-ups and small companies with a minimal and flexible number of employees such as IT or  project-based companies. 

However, the shared model cannot be applied to large companies and corporations with long-standing company cultures. Companies must evaluate their hybrid solutions carefully as if a company is too big, a flexible office would not be appropriate as the would be too expensive. 

The hybrid office model comes with changes in office design, schedules, and habits. Employees will have the choice of either remote or in-office working and companies want to ensure they can maintain their services, workflow, and management methods. Usually, type of business will determine the kind of hybrid model that a company could apply.

For instance, companies can apply an online or offline working ratio such as50-50, 70-30, or they can simply follow a schedule that meets their needs. 

Hybrid Demands in Viet Nam

Commenting on the demand for hybrid models in Viet Nam, Ms An said: “People are still a little hesitant. However, during the recent lockdowns, many companies had to adapt and change how they operate. Once a company is used to hybrid ways of working, long-term changes will be easier. Hybrid offices ensure business continuity while giving workers peace of mind and a healthier work/life balance. 

If businesses move to a hybrid workplace, they can experience a new environment, and it gives them the opportunity to explore alternative ways of working.

The Transition to a Hybrid

When speaking about the transition to hybrid work and the future of this kind of model, Ms An said: “When implementing hybrid solutions, businesses need to consider their  technology infrastructure. This includes  administrative management and supporting equipment for remote working, which must be standardised to ensure an efficient hybrid model.  

In short, the transition to hybrid offices is a natural trend and will undoubtedly take place. The model can be applied in many industries and different-sized companies as long as it maintains companies' core values. Importantly, hybrid solutions are unique and what works for one company will not necessarily work for another.”

Are you interested in implementing hybrid work solutions in your business? Contact our Commercial Leasing team here.

• Hotline: 0902 882 968  
• Leasing.hcmc@Savills.com.vn

Read further: Offices Shift to Hybrid Working