The hybrid work model has changed the way we think about work, as many employees have experienced how it benefits their health, lifestyle, and work quality. According to a recent survey, 86 percent of employees said that hybrid working has improved their work-life balance since they had more free time, and it also helped them to cope better with the challenges of daily life. Hybrid workers also feel that having a flexible schedule helped them to enjoy their work more as 85 percent said that it improved their job satisfaction.
If your organization has recently shifted from remote working to a hybrid workplace model, it’s important to create and maintain best practices to keep employees engaged and motivated. Here’s how to build a hybrid work environment that will keep workers happy and productive.
Provide the Right Tools
Some employees may have a difficult time transitioning to a hybrid work model after adapting so well to a remote working setup. According to a recent survey, about one-third of Baby Boomer, Millennial, and Gen X respondents prefer to work in an exclusively remote arrangement since it’s less stressful and it allows them to have more time to care for their family members. Meanwhile, 65 percent of Gen Z are open to hybrid working since they prefer to spend some of their workdays onsite to build relationships and feel like a part of the organization’s culture.
To make all workers feel comfortable and supported during this time, see to it that your company provides the necessary tools that will allow everyone to successfully adjust to hybrid working. For instance, if your employees have been using their own devices while working remotely, provide them with laptops that have been set up with all the necessary systems and apps that they need to do their tasks. Keep deployed laptops accounted for through an effective device inventory management system to make sure that they’re in good condition and easily accessible when needed.
Define Office Rules and Work Policies
One of the reasons why younger workers love remote working is because they get more flexibility to get work done when and where they are most productive. Some companies allow their employees to choose the days they want to be onsite, but to avoid miscommunication, confusion, or negative reactions, it would be better to create a schedule and define office rules and work policies before shifting to a hybrid work model.
Determine when employees are expected to be at the office, then implement a system to keep track of on-site attendance. This is to prevent coffee badging, a practice wherein people clock in at the office and stay just long enough to prove their presence before leaving to go somewhere else. Some coffee badgers don’t leave the office premises, but instead of working, they wander and stay at the breakroom, play games in an empty conference room or meeting room, then take lots of smoke breaks or bathroom breaks– basically doing anything and everything to pass the time before clocking out. According to a recent survey, 58 percent of hybrid workers have coffee badges at least once. Coffee badging can affect productivity, so implementing an attendance tracking system should be prioritized.
Keep Employees Happy
To create a positive workplace environment, find ways to make returning to the office more rewarding for your employees. For instance, if your organization requires workers to work onsite three or four days per week, offer to subsidize their commuting or parking expenses. You can also provide a staff shuttle service to minimize tardiness and help employees save on commuting costs. Plan on making in-office days more productive by holding face-to-face meetings or collaborative work on those days. Providing perks such as free lunches, free coffee, or big discounts on gym memberships at a nearby gym can also motivate employees to show up and do their best on days when they’re expected to clock in.
Plan on making a hassle-free transition from remote working to a hybrid work model. Consider the tips above to make employees feel that they’re valued, which can make them look forward to getting back to the office.