Hybrid workplaces have become increasingly more common these days. According to Gallup, an estimated 40% of remote-capable employees now work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement. This is a sharp contrast to 2019, when 60% of remote-capable employees still worked completely on site.
Clearly, hybrid — and by extension, remote — work is here to stay. However, as an employer, you also need to ensure your workers are productive whether they’re working at home or in the office. Use these strategies and tips to maintain productivity in a hybrid workplace.
Why is the hybrid workplace on the rise?
While the pandemic may have forced the adoption of hybrid workplaces in the first place, more companies have now realized the benefits of such an arrangement and are therefore shifting to hybrid setups. Among the many advantages of hybrid work are:
- Cost savings: Reduced office occupancy translates to lower expenses on physical space and office supplies. Both employers and employees also benefit from decreased commuting costs.
- Health: By removing the requirement for staff members and employees to constantly be in close proximity with each other, it reduces the likelihood of an illness such as seasonal flu from spreading throughout a company. This, in turn, means fewer people who need to go on sick leave at the same time.
- Employee satisfaction: Many people seem content working out of familiar and comfortable environments that are entirely within their control.
- Work-life balance: The flexibility of hybrid work aligns with many people’s desire for better work-life balance, allowing employees to address personal needs such as childcare or fitness routines.
However, for all the benefits of the hybrid workplace and its growing popularity, employers still have concerns such as maintaining employee collaboration and engagement, system security, and, most especially, productivity.
How to maintain productivity in the hybrid workplace
If you are considering or have already adopted a hybrid workplace setup, implement the following strategies to ensure productivity.
Constant communication
Maintaining alignment among team members, whether in-office or remote, requires clear communication channels and protocols. Video conferencing for meetings, real-time communication through chat platforms, and regular check-ins can help keep everyone on the same page.
Establish schedules
Create a schedule that determines office and remote workdays to facilitate proactive planning. Awareness of workdays and remote availability fosters structure and alignment among team members while minimizing potential scheduling conflicts.
Set goals
In the context of a hybrid work setting, prioritizing clear goals and expectations for team members becomes even more crucial. This practice helps maintain focus, keeping everyone on track, and ensuring the efficient and effective completion of tasks. Consider integrating project management tools into your workflow to facilitate the establishment and tracking of goals. Regularly reviewing progress with team members further contributes to a streamlined and productive workplace.
Allow breaks
Avoiding burnout is vital for sustained productivity. You should encourage your employees to take regular breaks, stretch, and step away from their workstations during lunch so they can recharge and maintain focus.
Utilize digital tools
Digital tools such as notifications, calendar reminders, project management systems, time tracking platforms, and collaborative document solutions help your teams organize and manage their tasks efficiently.
| Related reading: Your guide to the best tools for managing hybrid teams in in 2023 |
Establish work boundaries
Encourage your employees to define clear work hours and work areas to prevent work from encroaching on personal time. Ask that they maintain a dedicated workspace to mentally separate work and personal life, whether they work from home or in the office. Furthermore, advise your team members to minimize potential distractions by disabling notifications and pop-ups that are unrelated to work. If your team members have access to multiple devices to serve as a workstation — either provided by the company or purchased on their own — recommend they set one device as their primary work platform.
Maintain employee engagement
Feelings of isolation can easily occur in a hybrid workplace, as employees are no longer in constant contact with each other. Counter these feelings by fostering a sense of community among team members. Host virtual social events, organize collaborative project efforts, and perform regular check-ins to maintain a connected and engaged team.
Provide support
Offer the necessary resources and support for remote and in-office team members. This includes access to tools and technology, training opportunities, and a supportive environment for questions and assistance.
Get the tools and services to create an effective hybrid work environment by contacting Refresh Technologies.