Hybrid working - is it here to stay?

 

The pandemic forced businesses to consider working in ways that they thought would never work. As we come to the end of 2020, many businesses will be thinking about 2021 and where employees are going to spend their working day. Some businesses have already decided that meetings will take place in the office and at times when concentration is required, these days will be spent working from home or another location. Hybrid working allows employees to also get the work/life balance that they would like and help employers with reduced rental costs. 

 

Other factors that are going to be important is communication and trust. It will be vital that employees are still feeling connected to the workplace and businesses are confident that the work will be completed. Therefore, setting clear tasks, objectives which are measurable is going to help foster the trust that will be required. 

 

Going beyond the logistics of measuring performance, businesses must ensure that equality is paramount. 

 

Below are a few factors to consider:- 

 

• Ensure that the employee is invited to all meetings and has the facilities to log in remotely. 

 

• Ensure that the employee is aware of everything discussed with colleagues in the office and job 

opportunities that are available. 

 

• Change the culture that ‘presenteeism in the office’ does not mean employees are working. 

 

• Ensure that virtual social events are organised. 

 

• Set up ‘coffee machine’ chats for employees to attend. 

 

Finally, set up a review period with employees, so they can give feedback on hybrid working. 

 

Contact daxa@hrresultsltd.co.uk if you would like to discuss how you can implement permanent hybrid working for your employees.