Hybrid working is going to be tricky. Here’s how to do it right.

For 2-3 years now, with the advent of remote working caused by the COVID pandemic, employers and employees have realised that mental health, well-being and a balanced work-life balance have become more important. Numerous companies have adopted hybrid work arrangements to strike a balance between the preferences of their employees and employers.  

The Hybrid Model Explored 

Hybrid working refers to a work arrangement that combines both remote work and on-site work, allowing employees to have more flexibility and autonomy in their work schedules while also maintaining some level of in-person collaboration and connection with colleagues.  

However, implementing a hybrid working model can be a difficult task, particularly for project managers, operations managers and team leaders who tend to prefer having their team in-house.    

To succeed in the increasingly hybrid and remote future, organisations will be required to retrain managers in evaluating performance and addressing proximity bias. Companies will have to teach them to trust the data over their own gut reactions. They’ll also have to learn a new approach to performance evaluations, one customized to hybrid and remote work.

The preference of flexibility that hybrid working offers is here to stay. Indeed, “Over 40% of people who have changed jobs in the last six months have done so for more flexibility,” says ZipRecruiter CEO Ian Siegel.  

An additional advantage is derived from the increased flexibility to perform work tasks during times that align with our personal productivity levels. According to research, everyone has varying levels of energy throughout the day that are better suited for certain activities, which may not necessarily coincide with the standard 9-5 work schedule. 

Here are some interesting statistics of working from home, that came out of 2022.  

• A study by Standford of 16,000 workers over 9 months found that working from home increase productivity by 13%. 
• 25% of office workers reported office politics distracted their workflow, compared to just 15% of remote workers, (Forbes).
• 34% of office workers said that interruptions from colleagues affected their productivity, compared to only 16% of remote workers, (Alto).
• 28% of office workers said that their daily commute negatively impacted their productivity, compared to 18% of remote workers, (Forbes). 

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the key considerations for making hybrid working a success, as well as tips on how to get it right. 

Establish clear communication channels. 

One of the biggest challenges of hybrid working is to ensure that internal communication remains effective so that everyone is on the same page. Indeed, with team members working remotely and, in the office, it can sometimes be difficult to keep everyone on the same page. It is therefore essential to establish clear communication channels for everyone. These can be weekly or daily team meetings, virtual chats or project management software that allows employees to communicate and collaborate simply on any project.  

1time is an excellent tool for project managers and team leaders. The software is designed to help teams stay organised, track project progress, and monitor employee productivity. With 1time, team members can easily communicate with each other, schedule meetings and share documents, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same goal. 

Set understandable & simple expectations. 

Another key aspect of hybrid working is setting clear expectations for team members. This ranges from working hours to project deadlines. In a hybrid working model, it is important to ensure that all team members understand their roles and responsibilities and what is expected of them. 

Managers and team leaders should set clear guidelines regarding working hours, availability, and communication expectations. It is also important to set deadlines for key project milestones and communicate them clearly to all team members. With 1time, project managers and team leaders can easily monitor the progress of the project and ensure that all team members are working towards the same goals. 

Build a strong team culture 

Another important aspect of hybrid work is the creation of a strong team culture. When team members work in different locations, it can be difficult to create bonds and a sense of community. It is therefore important for managers and team leaders to ensure that all employees feel connected to their team. The company therefore has a responsibility to ensure that everyone feels valued and included and may need to invest in team building activities. For example, team leaders can organise online activities such as quizzes or mini-games or social events such as team outings to help create a sense of community.  

1time helps team members to easily collaborate on projects and communicate with each other, making it easier to build strong relationships and team spirit. 

Provide the right tools and resources 

Finally, in a hybrid work environment, it is also important to ensure that company employees have the right tools and resources to work effectively from home. This can range from software and hardware purchases to training opportunities.  

For example, team leaders may decide to provide better laptops, headsets or even better connectivity to employees so that they are not penalised from home if they do not have sufficient equipment.  

They can also provide training and development opportunities to help team members keep up to date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry and develop the company’s long-term potential. 

Employees may also perceive such training as a boost and recognition from the company and this may strengthen their sense of belonging to the company. 

Conclusion  

In conclusion, hybrid working can be an excellent way to balance the needs of employees and organisations. However, it requires careful planning and consideration to ensure its success. By establishing clear communication channels, setting clear expectations, creating a strong team culture, and providing the right tools and resources, project managers, operations managers and team leaders can ensure that their teams thrive in a hybrid working environment. 

In addition, the use of time management software, such as 1time, can be a great way to track project progress, ensure effective communication and monitor employee productivity. 

If you’d like to see how 1time can help you and your team be more productive by effectively managing your time, then you can avail of our free trial by following the link.