Traits Of A Successful Hybrid Working Environment

5 Traits Of A Successful Hybrid Working Environment

The coronavirus pandemic is one of the biggest challenges the world has ever faced. Companies across the globe have either closed down or retrenched their employees. Others can consider themselves lucky. The work-from-home (WFH) setup has kept many companies afloat and may have even made them grow despite the situation.

While most businesses are slowly crawling back into stability, many are still juggling on-site and remote setups. If you believe your business can handle either method, maybe you should consider a hybrid working environment.

But what makes your hybrid setup successful? Here’s a list of traits you should look for.

• Flexibility

Before shifting away from an entirely on-site setup, you’ll need to understand what hybrid work means. You’ll still have employees working in the office, but some will work from home. If they live nearby, they could do shifts (for example, your remote staff works on-site twice a week/some days each month).

For your hybrid working environment to succeed, first and foremost, you need to have communication tools. There are various free and safe online platforms you can utilize to communicate with your remote team. Such apps include Slack, Zoom, and Discord.

Your employees must not be the only ones flexible, though. As a leader, you have to be available to guide and assist your team whenever they need you.

• Inclusivity And Support

Even with a hybrid setup, you shouldn’t give more priority and attention to those on-site and leave your remote staff to fend for themselves. Wherever your employees are, they are just as important as those in the office.

Include your remote employees is crucial conversations through virtual meetings. Acknowledging their presence and giving them a say in things lets them know that you care. You should also provide any remote team member with the same company benefits the on-site team receives.

Learn to understand and your employees who are getting burnt out from remote work or feeling anxious about stepping back into the office. Know the boundaries that come with the WFH setup. Time is precious, and you should discuss work-related matters only within office hours.

• Data Protection And Security

Mixing on-site and remote work makes your business vulnerable to the risks of data breaches. Invest in software that guarantees all your company’s vital information is kept away from outsiders.

You and your team can use the following tips to protect your business’ data:

• Use antivirus software
• If possible, do work on company devices only
• Enable two-factor authentication on business accounts
• Avoid connecting to public wi-fi

In implementing these steps, make sure you don’t compromise your employees’ privacy. Your chosen security software must also not impede communication between you and your remote team. To ensure proper data security, you can also check these other five important cybersecurity tips for your business.

• Collaboration

Having a hybrid work environment means you’ll be communicating and working in other methods aside from face-to-face. Try using project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Google Workspace for this to work. If you’d like to use a file-sharing app with more collaborative features, you could choose among these Dropbox alternatives. Apps like these encourage teamwork and provide accurate and real-time results.

These apps may also have centralized boards for work updates, company announcements, and other notes your remote team can access anywhere. Everyone in your staff must be aware of any changes at work. You and your team can reach business goals faster this way. Even if others are not physically in the office, it’ll feel like they are.

• Focus On Human Needs

Even when some of your employees are working from the comfort of their homes, they may still grapple with work-life balance. Gather their thoughts about the remote setup every week or once a month through private chat or a survey. Whatever findings you get from them, try your best to acknowledge and work on them. You’ll improve the quality of their life as well as their work. Every feedback counts.

As a team leader, you must have empathy, too. Many remote employees may face slow internet connection, noisy homes, and nosy family members. Try to understand that their work may not be completed within the deadline when these issues occur. But also step up to help them out in any way you can.

Find ways to make remote work easier for them. If you can provide them with Wi-Fi, or an office desktop or laptop, do so. Make compromises to improve the work-life balance for both you and your employees.

In Summary – Traits Of A Successful Hybrid Working Environment

The hybrid work environment isn’t for everyone, but for some, this is ideal. Should circumstances arise where many people can’t go outside, businesses with hybrid setups can thrive.

If you want your business to follow this setup, take note that this will require more effort from you and your team to make this work. Communicate and collaborate to reach both work and personal goals. And remember to give everyone equal opportunities to grow and speak their mind no matter where in the world they’re working.