Hybrid working might not have been a term that we expected to come from the pandemic, but it’s here to stay. After the boom in working from home back in 2020 and for most of 2021, hybrid work has been one positive to come out of the entire period. Working from the office some of the week, and from home the rest, is an option that works for a lot of people. It gives you the chance to catch up and get work done in person, while the rest of the time, you get to enjoy all the work-from-home perks like no commuting to and from the office, and a little bit more flexibility.
Hybrid working has huge benefits for both employees and employers, so it’s no surprise that it is becoming more and more common in various organizations across the world and in multiple industries. And as it becomes the new normal way to go to work, there are more software programs, tools, apps and more springing up designed to make hybrid working a breeze. So, if you own or run a business and are considering a hybrid work model for your employees, here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to making it work well.
What is Hybrid Work?
Simply put, hybrid working is a set-up that allows employees to work a combination of both on-location and remotely throughout the week. Typically, this allows employees to spend some of their working week at home but come into the office on a set number of days. Some workplaces have set days per week for coming into the office while others leave it up to the employee to choose which days will work for them best as long as they come in a certain number of days each week.
Creating a Hybrid Working Policy
A hybrid workplace can get quite confusing if things are not clear. So, keep confusion to a minimum by creating a hybrid working policy. Make sure that it is given to employees as early as possible and it’s clear and easy to understand. It’s worth taking the time to reassure employees that shifting to hybrid work is a positive move for both them and the company.
Focus on Productivity Rather Than Hours Worked
It is difficult for a hybrid work environment to work well if the main focus is on the number of hours that employees work. Instead, it is best to focus on the productivity levels and the quality of the work output. Hybrid workplaces are more flexible compared to those that are office-based, and this can be helped with the use of various collaboration tools. Some employees are more efficient at home while others are going to be more efficient in the office, so the main thing is to trust that your employees are performing their roles as professionally and effectively as possible no matter where they are working from.
Use Remote Access Tools
Today there are various tools and programs available to make it easier for remote workers to be productive and get things done. For example, a remote desktop access tool such as TSPlus remote access makes it easier for your employees to access centralized apps remotely no matter where they are and what device they are using. TSplus provide full remote desktops; you can learn more about remote access and other features on their website.
Keep Communication Open
Just like working remotely full time, a hybrid workplace needs to focus on keeping the lines of communication open. How this looks will largely depend on your workplace and your team. Having a constant Zoom call going might not be possible for everybody, but there are other ways to stay in touch including messaging apps like Slack or even emails. However you decide to do it, a successful hybrid work environment will only thrive if you are able to establish a successful internal communication strategy while your employees are not present on the premises.
Establish a Trusting Culture
Hybrid working is meant to be a pleasant experience for employers and employees alike. It saves money and is less stressful for employees who are able to work from home some of the week and avoid the commute. However, it’s important to consider the culture in your workplace and establish a trusting culture across the board. Employees who feel that they are not trusted to simply get on with their work while they are working from home, even though they have never shown any reason to think otherwise might end up feeling like they are in a toxic, rather than a pleasant work environment. Make sure that you hire employees who you can trust to do the right thing, and that you trust your employees who have worked in the office up until now.
Hybrid work models are becoming the new way of going to work after the pandemic. As an employer, there are several things that you can do to make sure that this model works for everybody.
