In a recent survey, 76% of employees said that their companies had shifted their operations to a hybrid model, but 63% of them also said that the very same companies hadn't made any significant changes to their workplace to cater for the new way of working.
This suggests that many organizations are still trying to figure out how to make hybrid work a success. And while there's no one-size-fits-all solution, there are some key things you need to factor in before making the switch since hybrid work impacts many aspects of your business.
Here's what you need to do!
Yes, your company may be the one making the decision to switch to hybrid work, but that doesn't mean that you can just dictate the terms. After all, your employees are the ones who will be most affected by the change, and they'll also be the ones who have to make it work.
That's why it's so important to involve them in the process from the start. Surveys, newsletters, and company-wide meetings are all great ways to keep employees in the loop and ensure that they understand the policies you're putting in place. One-on-ones with key staff members are also a good idea to get feedback and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Again, there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to hybrid work, so it's important to take the time to figure out what it means for your business specifically.
Will employees be expected to split their time evenly between the office and home? Are there certain days of the week when everyone needs to be in the office? Will there be core hours when everyone needs to be available for meetings? It's important to have a clear and written hybrid work policy that employees can consult so that there's no confusion later on.
And if there are any eligibility requirements (like having a quiet space at home), make sure to communicate them clearly as well. That way, employees can make an informed decision about whether or not hybrid work is right for them.
In a research study by Gartner, it was revealed that 64% of managers believe that office-based workers are higher performers than their remote counterparts and are therefore more likely to give them a higher raise.
This unconscious bias can easily lead to managers giving office-based workers preferential treatment when it comes to things like raises and promotions. And while you might not think that this is a big deal, it can create a feeling of unfairness among employees and foster resentment.
That's especially because this belief isn't true– in fact, the same research found that full-time remote workers are 5% more likely to be higher performers than office-based workers.
So, it's important to make sure that all of your policies are inclusive and don't discriminate between office and remote workers. Training managers to identify bias is a good first step, but you should also consider things like how you'll measure performance and whether or not there are any double standards when it comes to things like raises and promotions.
Rethinking pay and benefits in a hybrid workplace is also important to factor in since the traditional office-based model often relies on things like car allowances and travel expenses, which may not be so relevant anymore for hybrid employees (yes, they may still have to travel for meetings occasionally, but it's likely not as often as someone who works in the office full-time).
In contrast, things like home internet and electricity become more relevant when employees are working from home more often. And while you might not be able to cover these expenses directly, you could consider offering a stipend to help offset the costs.
You should also think about investing in home office & ergonomics since not all employees have access to the same equipment at home. Reimbursing standing desks, office chairs, and even computer monitors can go a long way in making sure that employees are comfortable and productive when working from home.
Alternatively, if some employees' homes don't have the space for a dedicated office, you could consider cost reimbursement or direct access to coworking spaces.
Finally, don't forget about the importance of mental health in the workplace. Working from home can be isolating, so providing access to mental health services– whether it's through your health insurance plan or as a separate perk– is more important than ever.
Finally, you'll need to make sure that your tech stack is up to the task of supporting a hybrid workforce. This includes everything from video conferencing and communication tools to a desk booking tool like Tribeloo so that employees can easily find an open workspace when they're in the office.
There's a tool for everything these days, so take some time to evaluate what you need and make sure that your employees have the resources they need to be productive– whether they're in the office or working from home. The worst thing that can happen is for an employee to feel like they're unable to do their job because they don't have the right tools.
Hybrid work is here to stay, so it's important to start thinking about how you can make it work for your business. From crafting inclusive policies to updating your tech stack, there are a number of things you'll need to consider to make sure that your hybrid workforce is productive and happy.
At Tribeloo, we offer a desk booking tool that helps employees easily find an open workspace when they're in the office. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you make hybrid work a success, or try it out for free for 30 days– no strings attached!
