Tips for Managing a Hybrid Workforce

What is hybrid work?

Hybrid work refers to a work arrangement that combines both remote (working from home or a location of their choice outside of the office) and in-office work. It’s a work model that is being embraced by many major companies like Shopify, Microsoft, American Express, as well as small and growing businesses. In a hybrid work model, organizations tailor the balance between remote and in-office work based on their specific needs and the nature of the work, while employees have added flexibility to divide their time between working remotely and physically being present in the office. 

Typically employees are required to spend a certain number of days per week or month in the office. Some organizations implement rotational schedules where different teams or business units take turns working in the office to provide the right mix of in-person collaboration and remote work. The specific days can be fixed or flexible, depending on the organization’s workplace policies. 

When it comes to working remotely, many organizations establish core hours during which all team members are expected to be available for meetings or working sessions, then empower employees to structure their workday outside of those hours as they see fit. 

What are the advantages of hybrid work?

The hybrid approach aims to create a balance between in-office and remote work. Reduced commute times and flexible working hours, allowing employees to better accommodate their personal schedules, helps to create a more comfortable work environment and healthy relationship with the company. The inherent flexibility can make an organization more attractive to a diverse range of talent, especially in competitive job markets.

When in the office, face-to-face meetings, working sessions, and team building become more purposeful, efficient, and valuable. The hybrid work model can also lead to a reduced office footprint, resulting in cost savings on office space, utilities, and other facilities-related expenses.

What is the best workspace option for a hybrid work?

As we discussed in an earlier article, there’s a growing trend of companies moving away from traditional office leases into coworking spaces, or offering coworking stipends to allow employees to find flexible solutions that work for them. Companies adopting a hybrid work model want to avoid restrictive leases with high overhead costs and often seek flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions; coworking spaces tend to be the front runner because they check all three of these boxes.

Workhaus has solutions for teams of all sizes; whether you’re looking for an office for multiple employees to use on alternating days, a single desk for one employee to work from a few days a week, space for a combination of full-time and hybrid employees, or an occasional meeting room. In short, our workspace solutions and corporate packages are adaptable and scalable.

Advice for employers… How do you maintain productivity, collaboration, and engagement in a hybrid work environment?

Clearly communicate expectations regarding work hours, goals, deadlines, and milestones to help your staff understand what is expected of them. Take time to establish measurable KPIs for your team to ensure that your targets are met and performance standards are maintained. Conducting regular performance reviews to assess individual and team achievements is a good way to stay on track.

Establish guidelines for communication channels, response times, and meeting attendance. Foster a culture of open communication where team members feel comfortable sharing updates, asking for help, and providing feedback. It is also important to develop a routine for regular team communication. This could include daily or weekly check-ins, either in person, via video conferencing, or through collaboration platforms with team members to discuss their work, address concerns, and provide personalized support.

Finally, create virtual spaces for informal conversations and plan in-person gatherings or team-building events. A virtual space could be a designated channel in your communication platform for non-work-related discussions, helping team members bond over shared interests. An in-person session or gathering can take on many forms, but tend to be especially valuable for brainstorming meetings, relationship building, and team bonding.

Advice for employees… How do I manage my time and stay connected to my team?

To help manage your time most effectively, start by identifying and prioritizing your tasks based on their importance and deadlines, then use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and productivity apps to track deadlines and allocate specific time slots for different activities. Don’t forget to schedule short breaks too! Breaks are crucial for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout. Minimizing potential distractions is important too, both in your home office or company office environment. This may include turning off non-essential notifications or using a dedicated workspace.

To help you stay connected to your team, leverage collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other platforms to facilitate communication, share updates, and collaborate on projects in real-time. If your workplace has a designated channel in your communication platform for non-work-related discussions, get engaged and bond with your colleagues over shared interests. This will also give you an easy list of common interests to talk about when you attend in-person gatherings for your team.

Hybrid work models represent a transformative approach to the workplace, blending the best elements of remote and in-office environments to foster flexibility, productivity, and employee satisfaction. As organizations continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this paradigm, it becomes clear that success hinges on adaptability, effective communication, and technology integration. By tailoring hybrid strategies to fit the unique needs of their workforce, companies can not only enhance their operational efficiency but also build a more resilient and engaged workforce. As we move forward, hybrid work is likely to evolve further, shaping the future of work in ways that prioritize both organizational goals and employee well-being.