Hybrid working is becoming an increasingly common practice across the business landscape. It offers a flexible and balanced approach that can benefit both the employees and the organisation, with employees splitting their time between working from the office and working remotely.
However, many businesses struggle with grasping the principles of hybrid working, and how they can implement it in a way that truly works for all parties. This article will outline the core considerations necessary when planning to introduce hybrid working to your organisation, or to improve your current hybrid working approach.
Define Expectations
Before implementing hybrid working, it is important to clearly define the expectations and policies for remote work. This includes the days/hours employees are expected to be in the office, the technology and equipment required for remote work, and any guidelines for communication and collaboration when working remotely. This works both ways, and managers and employees should openly discuss expectations before moving forward.
Get the Right Tools
As stated above, it is essential that employees are properly kitted out when it comes to technology and equipment for hybrid working to succeed. This can be anything from having a laptop or computer to work remotely, a working microphone (to actively participate in video calls!), to having the correct software installed so that transitioning from the office to home is as seamless as possible. The hardware that employees use needs to be capable of allowing them to complete their day-to-day tasks, while the software used to enable hybrid working needs to not only perform as needed but must also be secure to protect any sensitive information. Ensuring that employees are equipped and on the same page across the organisation is key to maintaining communication and productivity.
Encourage Regular Check-ins
Checking in with employees is imperative. It is the best way of gauging whether they still feel connected and engaged with their colleagues and the organisation. This can be done via virtual team meetings, individual check-ins, or a mixture of both, and it is a great way to monitor progress and ensure that employees are satisfied.
Instil a Culture of Trust
In a hybrid working setup, trust is essential. Managers need to be able to trust their employees to be productive and perform as expected of them regardless of where they are working, while employees need to trust their managers and the organisation to provide them with the support, guidance, and resources they need in order to be able to work effectively and efficiently. Without trust, hybrid working can become toxic, undermining the efforts of the organisation and damaging relationships, productivity, and commitment.
Promote Work-life Balance
Hybrid working, and particularly the remote working aspect, should not be viewed as an opportunity for employees to work longer hours. Instead, it should be seen as an opportunity to promote a more natural and healthy work-life balance, giving employees the flexibility to balance their work and personal needs, encouraging staff to take breaks, switch off, and prioritise their well-being.
Think about the Office
With less usage than before, it is important to ensure the office does not become stale, and that when it is occupied, it is utilised to its full potential. In hybrid working, team work and meetings are the main functions of office spaces, so this should be prioritised by implementing breakout rooms and collaborative spaces. To learn more about how Whiteleys can help you get the most out of your office space, click here.
Evaluate and Enhance
It is important to note that hybrid working is a constantly evolving concept. Regularly communicating with employees and receiving feedback about what is going well and what is not going so well in order to make changes will be invaluable when ensuring that hybrid working is a success within the organisation.
To conclude, hybrid working can be a highly effective way to work and it suits many organisations, but it requires careful planning and implementation to succeed. By investing in the right tools, trusting employees, and promoting work-life balance, businesses are able to reap the rewards of hybrid working.
