The Realities of the Hybrid Workplace
The past two years has evoked a disconnect in the workplace. The global adoption of the remote workplace in 2020 was transformational, and this new hybrid way of working was welcomed by many as an antidote to the humdrum of the 9-5 life. However, two years into the evolution of the hybrid workplace, organizations are trying to navigate the challenges that it presents.
A recent study recognized some of the major trends in the hybrid world of work, and also highlighted ways that leaders can capitalize on these trends to effectively execute their hybrid strategies.
- This is not a drill, it’s here to stay
The hybrid workplace is here to stay so leaders, it is time to outline your organization’s regulations or ‘hybrid handbook’ for this realm of work. Set the business’ expectations and clearly communicate them to your employees. The handbook may also include features such as a master schedule that the entire team/organization can access, workflow protocols and availability expectations.
2. There is no shortage of distractions
The Economist recently released data that showed the distractions that remote workers face on a daily basis, including household chores, other housemates in the same space, and even the intangible distractions such as the temptation to relax when you are working in your home environment.
One way to combat these distractions is to encourage your team to make their virtual calendars accessible, allocating time for meetings, focused time for individual work tasks and blocks of time that are open for collaboration with others. Setting these boundaries and communicating them clearly should result in less distractions from those demanding your time.
3. Make onsite days meaningful
The onsite days are a fantastic opportunity to build on the company culture so that a strong online community is harbored when the team are offsite. Optimize the in-person contact on these days by planning for informative town halls or teambuilding sessions.
The reality is, the hybrid workplace is a unique and individualized experience; while some team members will look forward to reconnecting at the onsite days, others will prefer working remotely. The ‘anywhere worker’ is the future of the workforce so investing time and resources on the shared working experience such as the desired company culture and the company’s core values will ensure a strong community no matter where your team is located.
https://www.lhhgulf.com/wordpress/the-realities-of-the-hybrid-workplace/
