As the after effects of pandemic begin to fade and humans start buzzing around offices again, several organizations around the world are considering a hybrid work model as the optimal solution for their businesses. Work-from-home (WFH) culture undeniably served as the contingency plan for companies to counter the pandemic blow. Emerged as a temporary arrangement during the outbreak, today it’s shaping the future of corporate working style. All major companies are considering a hybrid work model to reap the benefits of both worlds — working from office and work-from-home. Although the new approach seems promising it’s still in the nascent stage and needs proper evaluations and preparedness to transform into the mainstream working model. To understand the core value of the hybrid work principle, let’s dive a little deeper!
Understanding hybrid working model
Hybrid working is a location-flexible working model that provides employees with the opportunity to enjoy a mix of remote & office working style. It facilitates working across different workspaces including corporate offices, co-working areas and homes.
Different organizations may adopt unique hybrid models that best suit their businesses. A typical hybrid model may include the onsite presence of a core group where others are free to come and go, depending upon their specific project demands.
While arrangements may vary (same employees may be deputed onsite, or it could be different people on different days/times), the central idea remains the same – facilitating flexibility and convenience at work. This may go as far as including suitable working hours, ergonomic modular office furniture set up, effective communication channels and more.
The hybrid approach gives the employees a chance to strike a perfect work-life balance, paving the way for maximum job satisfaction and greater efficiency.
However, the success of a hybrid system lies in how well you reframe employee touchpoints and redefine the role of the physical workspace. When executed judiciously, this new framework can bear fruits in future in terms of improved productivity, lower costs and stronger work culture, transcending physical boundaries.
Factors that make up for an efficient hybrid work model
People, process and technology are the key drivers that define the success or failure of a business. Tailoring these essential elements is imperative to attaining optimized outcomes from a hybrid working model.
Enlisted below are some of the ways that ensure your hybrid work model doesn’t fail:
1. Make employees a part of the process:
One of the simplest ways to ensure your hybrid initiative yields results is by including employees in the Make them a part of the journey by garnering their cooperation and support. Conduct employee surveys and polls and get their views on what they feel about the hybrid system of working. This will help you take the right decisions and set concrete policies. When employees feel involved and their opinions matter, they work happy.
2. Develop your tech support:
Adequate and efficient tech support is an absolute must for a seamless workflow. A company that plans to go for a hybrid work model must zero in on building friction-free and agile technical support procedures. For instance, selecting a suitable remote monitoring management tool that facilitates platform onboarding, simplifies mobile device management, etc. can make a lot of difference.
3. Remove communication barriers:
Overhauling of communication system becomes important to promote coherence in disperse and diverse teaming work culture. A paradigm shift in management style here is unavoidable. Leaders will need to adapt to newer and more effective ways of communication so that employees stay connected, motivated and productive. Be it instant messaging, video conferencing or simply transferring of files, a streamlined communication system will be the pre-requisite for a thriving hybrid work system.
4. Prioritize safety & comfort in workspace:
Create a work ambience that meets the security and comfort requirements of the employees coming back to the physical workplace. For instance, allowing only those people to offices who are fully vaccinated can be the right initiative. Also, as they will be joining the formal workflow after a long hiatus make sure to offer them the convenience of work from home. Go for top quality office furniture like the best ergonomic chair, height adjustable table and more that makes working less stressful.
5. Be upfront:
Irrespective of where your employees are working from, maintaining transparency is critical to sustained success. All working professionals, be it senior executives or new hires must have a clear idea of the specific work policies. Keep them informed of and in agreement with your hybrid work policies so that no is no room for any misunderstanding or friction.
6. Maintain right balance of work culture:
As you need to manage two distinct teams- at home employees and in-office employees, the biggest challenge in Hybrid work system is accomplishing a unified workplace culture. Meaningful collaborations from time to time can play a pivotal role in aligning employees with the company’s shared values and goals. Events such as social hours and virtual town hall meetings serve the purpose right. It allows employees and management to engage in open yet inclusive and focused interaction.
Make hybrid model work for your business
Hybrid work culture stresses on building a work environment that helps employees grow professionally as well as personally. Undoubtedly it has emerged as a practical solution to the current situation for a host of companies but the efficacy will depend on how well you plan and execute the hybrid work model. If you’re an organization mulling over a hybrid work model, embrace innovative thinking and consider identifying solutions to potential issues before they become a reality. Being proactive and flexible is the route to attaining your goals easily!