Managing a hybrid workforce has its challenges. The solution is to create an effective hybrid workplace strategy tailored to your organization. Here's how to get the ball rolling.
Nine Ways to Create a High-Performing Hybrid Workforce
A hybrid workforce model includes employees who work remotely and employees who work at the office. Sometimes employees can alternate between the two options. Many businesses have found success with hybrid working by incorporating the following strategies.
Work On Improving Inclusiveness
When developing the right hybrid workplace culture, the last thing you want is to have a divided team. For employees to work seamlessly on projects, it's crucial to create a culture of inclusiveness. Therefore, you should design the overall work environment for all employees, whether they are remote or on-site workers.
A healthy hybrid work environment must encourage the participation of employees. In addition, employees should receive the support and training they need. Employers, management, or HR should not show any preference, favoritism, or bias towards workers, and all workers must be treated equitably.
Use the Right Technology Tools
When part of your workforce is remote, they're essentially working from a virtual office. Therefore, using the right technology tools is an essential requirement that ensures that remote workers and on-site workers can communicate and collaborate effectively when working on various projects.
It also makes it easier for managers to do their job. For instance, using an app that allows you to track employees' time at work can be a lifesaver when managing a hybrid workforce.
Technology is one of the top hybrid workplace solutions because it helps streamline operations even when some of your workers are not in the office. In fact, it's impossible to build a functional hybrid team without adopting the proper technology and tools needed to create a virtual work environment. You'll find that using the right platforms and methods of communication can do wonders for your productivity and connectivity.
Gather Data From Employees
To create a successful hybrid workplace environment, you need employee participation. Remember, your employees are your greatest assets, and when your employees perform well, they create success for your organization. That's why it's strongly encouraged to talk to your employees so you can formulate a tailored hybrid workplace model.
Make an effort to understand your employees better through interviews, surveys, and questionnaires. Focus on gathering relevant data such as how many commute hours employees save through remote working and how they feel about returning to the office. This will help you develop effective policies that support employees.
Formulate Policies For a Hybrid Workforce
A hybrid workplace policy must address different parameters, such as attendance and work arrangements. Here are a few things to consider when formulating an effective hybrid workplace policy.
- How many days will employees work remotely?
- Which roles are more suited for remote work, and which ones are difficult to do fully remote?
- What are the requirements when it comes to office attendance?
- Do employees have to log in a certain number of online hours each day?
- Can employees go fully remote, and for how long?
Your organization is unique, so partner with team managers to monitor the situation and create guidelines that work for your particular hybrid workforce.
Optimize Employee Digital and Physical Experiences
A hybrid workplace has to get the balance right when designing digital spaces for remote workers and physical spaces for workers on the ground. This will go a long way towards improving the employee experience and streamlining operations.
Workplace technology should be user-friendly to facilitate engagement and involvement from remorse workers. At the same time, on-site workers require a clean and comfortable space. Overall, optimizing employees' digital and physical experience will strengthen your hybrid workplace culture.
Provide Your Team With The Right Equipment
If you want employees to succeed in a hybrid workplace, you must offer them support by supplying the right tools and equipment. For instance, employees can't connect and collaborate effectively without unified communication tools. Employees need basic equipment like laptops, office chairs, standalone monitors, and a dedicated workspace for a start.
This is especially important for remote workers whose needs are often overlooked as organizations usually focus on upgrading the main office with little regard for employees' home offices. Having the right tools and equipment will positively impact employee productivity at home and in the office.
Focus On Increasing Workplace Flexibility
No one has been more enthusiastic about the increasing popularity of hybrid workforces than employees. What employees love about the hybrid work model can be summed up in one word – flexibility. So when developing your hybrid workplace strategy, keep in mind that flexibility is one of the significant factors behind successful hybrid workplaces.
To optimize your hybrid workplace, you must aim to provide tailored support to employees. In addition, you should be willing to adjust the workplace quickly when needed to accommodate the different needs of employees.
Train Managers for Hybrid Workforces
Hybrid workforces are a different kettle of fish from a primarily office-based work model. The differences are so significant that management needs to rethink the logistics of running their team and formulate new policies that are more suitable for a hybrid workforce. The quickest way for managers to adapt to a new way of managing teams is to provide necessary training.
This will help managers smoothly transition as they discover how to communicate clearly and outline expectations to the people within the hybrid workforce. Preparing managers to provide the right level of support also helps employees succeed in a hybrid workforce.
Create More Touchpoints With Employees
As an HR leader, you have to improve employee engagement and productivity. When managing a hybrid workforce, it's essential to keep the whole team connected. However, one of the challenges facing hybrid workplaces is a lack of communication.
As part of your hybrid workforce planning, you should make sure that all team members, far and near, are on the same page as you. Be articulate and clear about how the new work model works regarding which jobs or roles can work outside the office and when they should report to the office. Communicate your expectations and outline processes clearly and frequently to prevent confusion and misunderstandings.
The Final Word On Creating a Successful Hybrid Workforce
Based on numerous hybrid workforce statistics, planning and creating a successful hybrid workforce is worth the investment. A thriving hybrid workplace sharpens your competitive edge, and it makes for a better work-life balance which boosts employee satisfaction and productivity.
If you haven't already started developing your hybrid workplace strategy, now is the best time to do so.
