Hybrid work is changing work life. The question is: how can your business make hybrid work a success? How can your employees work together to make real progress, irrespective of their locations? How do you make hybrid work successful in your business?
Location is no more a hindrance to productivity. Many companies, including Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Netflix and Google have reinvented how their employees work.
People are no more restricted to offices. Many employees are opting for the hybrid work model; they want to hold on to the opportunity to work from home and the office when necessary.
There’s is a difference between changing work policies to include flexible work opportunities and allowing employees to actually practice what you have embraced.
Many employers think they have a culture of flexibility, but employees think otherwise. “While 72% of executives agree they can work out their own flexible work arrangement with their manager, only half of employees feel they have that same privilege,” says Alexia Cambon, Director, Research, Gartner.
“Establishing a culture of flexibility — where flexible work is the norm, not the exception — is crucial to the success of hybrid work,” says Cambon.
Even if your company runs on an “office-first model”, you can still offer your team members flexibility, even when location isn’t flexible. You can make hybrid work successful in your business by embracing a few ideas.
The business benefits of hybrid working
A hybrid work model, done right can encourage engagement and drive productivity. It can help improve diversity, equity and inclusion.
Hybrid working also reduces business estate and facilities costs, saving you money that can be pushed towards other growth areas.
Smart businesses are reconfiguring their offices to take full advantage of the opportunities hybrid work presents.
Businesses that can figure out a better way forward into the future of work will have a competitive edge — in attracting smart people, increasing productivity, delivering amazing customer service, outsmarting their competition and achieving business goals.
Failure to reconsider how you work risks talent and growth.
Educate your employees
Reinvent your work principles by giving people more control over their work and work environment. That means focus on the goals, results and progress instead of micromanaging the details.
Give managers the skills they need to work in harmony with employees, irrespective of where they work.
If you really want to encourage flexible work, invest in relevant technologies that can optimise hybrid work in the short term and encourage productivity in the long term.
Identify and develop the skills employees need to work from anywhere without feeling left out of important meetings. Build competencies your staff will need in the digital future.
You can make hybrid work a win-win for everyone. Don’t ignore the signs of struggling teams. Give your most important asset the tools and resources they need to do their best work.
Involve your employees in the hybrid decision-making process
Ask your team for feedback on how to embrace the right workplace culture that allows everyone to feel comfortable. Encourage your employees to raise questions or concerns.
Ask them specific questions about changes you plan to make in the future. Make business growth a team effort.
The pandemic has accelerated the need for employees in many businesses to find a new of working that allows them to do their best work without risking burnout.
There’s a lot to think about when you start redesigning your workplace. Hybrid working is here to stay, it’s the future of work and worth investing the time, resources and training to get it right.
In a hybrid workplace, employees feel happier, healthier, more productive, less stressed and more in control of their lives. And they are more likely to do their best work when they feel empowered.
Do more for your employees by designing and developing a future-fit workplace. Increased flexible working and hybrid working, in particular, can boost productivity and improve employee well-being.