Hybrid Employment Pose A Threat To European SMEs, But Are They Prepared?

Key Sentence:

• Most European SMEs are considering a permanent transition to hybrid employment in response to a changing labor market.
• Still, the ability to move workers from home and office may require a fundamental change in staffing policy.

Here in the UK, the pressure on employers is very high. According to government figures, there are currently more than a million job openings in the UK, and companies are struggling to find the people they need.

In one sense, this is good news. At this pandemic stage, Hybrid Employment many fear unemployment will rise due to a wave of layoffs as the government-funded holiday program reaches the end of its life. But otherwise, we have another problem. The number of job vacancies is not only an indicator of economic recovery. It also reflects the acute labor shortage in the post-Brexit period. This creates a puzzle for small and medium-sized business (SME) owners.

Apart from raising wages to levels that may no longer be acceptable, what can you do to attract staff in times of staff shortages?

Part of the answer could be a more flexible approach to work patterns. For example, during the pandemic, working from home has become the norm. And – anecdotally at least – many employees are finding that they prefer to replace a morning outing with a short walk from the bathroom to work.

Perhaps SME owners and managers will have the opportunity to adopt new work practices that will provide their employees with a better work-life balance. While saving costs and allowing them to continue to seek out the skills they need.

And this is precisely what a large number of small and medium-sized companies are preparing to do. According to a new study by technology provider Owl Labs of the UK and European businesses. In addition, its new report, State Of Hybrid Work 2021. Europe Edition, has statistics showing SMEs are preparing to support the hybrid jobs imposed on them by the pandemic.

Although the government is calling for UK workers to return to cities and metropolitan areas. After about eighteen months of working from home, around 80% of employers consider continuing the hybrid model.

Employer’s goal

This is partly due to team member preferences. Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, says, “Employees are happier and more productive at home. Perhaps then, in today’s job market, it makes sense for employers to take steps to keep their employees satisfied.

The report also suggests that SME owners and managers may have reasons for promoting flexible and hybrid labor policies. For example, while about 42% of executives believe that mixed work improves team member well-being, 49% believe combining home and office work will make their business more profitable.