Managing The New Hybrid Work Model

Working from home has always been a thing.  In fact, I ran a hybrid work from home/office model with my team in the early 2000s.  While some office jobs can be done remotely, a fully work-from-home setup is not usually practiced. However, when the pandemic started in 2020, health protocols, such as staying indoors, were mandated. Because of this, most businesses were left with no choice but to implement working remotely to continue with their operations. 

Companies and employees alike had to adjust drastically to the new working setup. These days, it is evident that many have already become accustomed to working from their homes. But despite this, there are still a few challenges that organizations must face. One of these challenges is employees facing burnout.

Since most employees are used to working in an office where interpersonal interactions are prevalent, working from home can be a little draining. Moreover, the line between work and rest becomes blurry, making it difficult for workers to relax after work hours. Fortunately, many organizations have come up with a hybrid work model that can be beneficial for both businesses and their employees.

Hybrid work model

A hybrid work model is a flexible arrangement that supports in-office, remote, and on-the-go workers. This allows employees to choose a working setup where they feel most comfortable and productive. Because of the flexibility this specific work model can provide, it is seen that the hybrid work model can immensely contribute to reducing employee burnout.

If you are curious about how to set up an effective hybrid work model for your business, here are some steps you can take to ensure your success:

• Happy employees, better business

While your customers’ happiness and satisfaction should be your top priority, you must also never neglect your employees.  Think of them as internal customers.  After all, they are the most significant contributors to your operations. Employees love the flexibility, and they will appreciate the autonomy of comfortably choosing where they want to work. While there are times when you have to require your workers to work face to face, giving them an option can help keep them happy, allowing them to be more productive.

• Consider all dimensions of the hybrid work model

Working on a hybrid model entails a great deal of freedom. Despite this, you should still impose sets of ground rules, such as when you should require your team to work in the office, their work schedule, the required hours of work, the employment relationship, diversity, and so much more. You must remember that the hybrid model is different from the traditional setup. To ensure its efficiency, you must set boundaries.

• Build a collaborative technology platform and strengthen security

There are times when miscommunication will be inevitable in a hybrid working environment. Therefore, as the team leader, you should establish and standardize a collaborative technology platform where you and your team can communicate clearly.  Such as Zoom, MS Team, Basecamp, Slack…etc.

Another thing that you must consider is strengthening your business’s security systems. While technology is tremendously needed and helpful in hybrid working setup, it can also bring imminent threats and risks. Cybercrimes such as data theft and embezzlement can occur more than you can imagine. Therefore, to protect your business and your employees, you must seek ways to develop more robust security methods.

• Integrate hybrid work with well-being

A hybrid work setup may be convenient for some, but this might not be favorable for others. Some might start to lose their work-life balance due to working continuously. At the same time, others may have personal problems, such as interruptions from family members. Technical problems such as the internet connection quality or having an efficient workstation setup can also be a concern. And as the team manager, you must be aware of these. 

Coming up with ideas for well-being activities for mental health, one on one coaching, and social catch-ups should be integrated into the hybrid work model. This ensures that everyone in your team is in the best headspace to work productively. 

• Trust

Following the steps above can significantly help you and your team cope with the new work model. But among all the things you should remember, trust should be the most important element. You should know how to trust your team. Give them clarity, mission, skills, and growth as part of the team development. This will also to empower them to get the work done despite you not seeing them all the time. 

Transitioning to a new work model while managing a group of people can be challenging. It is also normal to feel lost at times. To help you to be successful in your role there are a variety of courses that we provide to workplace leaders managing their teams in a hybrid working environment.

For more leadership tips, you can check Corporate Learning Solutions’ website at www.corplearn.com.au/blog.