Almost half of the employees surveyed said that they want a hybrid work model post-pandemic while 3 in 5 workers will likely find another job if the company does not offer it. 78% of human resources (HR) professionals also say that flexibility of schedules and teleworking are effective non-monetary strategies to retain employees based on a Crain survey. But what is a hybrid work paradigm and how can employers and employees adapt to the model smoothly and seamlessly?
Planning Home Activities
As pandemic restrictions were lifted, many businesses asked their employees to return to the office. According to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), nearly 50% of managers expect their staff to report to the office 2-3 days a week. Some companies may insist on a fixed number of days in the office or even full-time while others stipulate a minimum one day a month. Regardless, it is important to step into the hybrid work model with confidence. One way to do this is to rearrange commitments at home. During the lockdown, it might have been easy to do the laundry or cook while on a lunch break, but this will not be the case when returning to work. Hence, fitting a work-life balance is on the table again.
Nonetheless, performance outcome is still the major aim regardless of working at home or in the office. Therefore, it is critical as well to have an environment that is conducive to work. While many during the pandemic used existing places in the house as makeshift offices, ambient noise, discomfort, and lack of light are factors that affect productivity and well-being. Since you are going to spend time working remotely, it is imperative that you dedicate a proper workspace in your home. Forget about getting things done on your beds, couches, or kitchen counters. Even if you have a small area, there are several clever ideas to fit a home office at your apartment such as converting an existing closet as a workstation. Invest in a good chair, table, monitor, and light to ensure that you are comfortable while working at home.
The Role of Business Managers
Given that 9 out of 10 businesses are expected to adopt the hybrid work paradigm, understanding its implications for the company is critical. The buzzword is still productivity, and the aim is to enhance output. Thus, it is important to consider the diverse personalities and conditions of employees. To illustrate, recent hires or younger staff are often eager to return to the office to build relationships with fellow workers or avail of on-site infrastructure. Others who need to care for young or sick kids and aging parents will appreciate teleworking or at least get a flexible work schedule.
The point is to ensure that the organization considers the diversity of the workforce and their needs. In addition, communication should be maintained to make sure that work issues and productivity targets are discussed using videoconferencing tools. ‘Flex-desking’ is another strategy that can maximize office space and get rid of redundant areas while an online booking system makes it easy to reserve a meeting room for in-person conferences. Hence, a manager who defines clear expectations and productivity targets and offers flexibility while managing physical office matters is key to the success of the model.
Ongoing communication, defined expectations and productivity targets, and flexibility are important strategies to implement the hybrid work model successfully. Above all, trust in the hybrid worker ensures that the desired outcome is achieved even when they are working remotely.
