Firms Turn To Hybrid Pilot Programs As Delta Upends Return-To-Work

An increasing number of companies are launching pilot hybrid work programs to suss out best practices before overhauling their commercial real estate portfolios, a new study from JLL contends.

 “Progressive organizations pilot hybrid workplace options,” says Peter Miscovich, Managing Director, Strategy + Innovation, JLL Consulting. “Leading companies want to test, learn, and adapt with multiple hybrid workplace concepts—then these organizations can work through how to scale the most effective hybrid workplace programs for their employees for the longer-term.”

 JLL cites the experience of publishing company Pan Macmillan as one such example: the company is currently pursuing a “hybrid and remote-friendly work model” pilot that allows employees to choose the number of days per week they work in the office. They can also choose to work fully remotely, but employees who work three or more days a week in person will get assigned seats. Another unnamed JLL client will begin a pilot later this year called “Retail Flex” that will allow employees to work some weeks at a retail store location and other weeks remotely, where they’ll handle WFH-friendly tasks like online sales, customer service and technical support.

 JLL recommends that companies who are interested in starting a hybrid pilot program start small. Companies must first decide how they’ll approach the hybrid workplace and begin with steps to test, learn, and adapt. JLL recommends firms utilize regular employee pulse surveys to ensure strategies are aligning with actual needs.

 “Make no mistake, this is not a once and done,” says Ram Srinivasan, Managing Director, Consulting, JLL. “Some pilots will be more successful than others, teams and individuals will learn from both success and failure. Those organizations that make the shift towards a learning mindset will find the transition to hybrid easier.”