Hybrid Working - 3 Tips For Business Leaders

Flexible working is here to stay and the transition to hybrid working presents significant challenges for businesses with staff working from home. With over 40 percent of the global workforce considering leaving their employer this year, a thoughtful approach to hybrid work will be critical to the future success of organisations.

A report by Microsoft outlining the work trend index provided insight on how we work now—and how we will in the future. The findings outlined a gap between managers and employee expectations. In order for hybrid working to be successful we must bridge the gap.

Leaders are being encouraged to seek new and innovative ways to solve problems, master new skills, and view disruption as a challenge rather than a threat. 

We provide tips and advice for leaders to implement to embrace the change and innovativly support their team.

1. Understand That Your Workforce Is Exhausted

One in five global survey respondents said that their employer doesn’t care about their
work-life balance.

Fifty-four percent reported to feel overworkedThirty-nine percent feel exhausted.

Our advice:

• Meetings on Zoom may be convenient but a marked increase in meetings and emails, combined with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic has left people feeling
  overworked and fatigued by the digital world.

• If you work in the same location as your team, take a walk and speak to them face-to-face instead of sending an email or scheduling a Zoom call.

• Computer-based workers need a break from sitting and viewing the screen. Arrange
  meetings at a local café or take your team out to lunch to break the routine.

• Shorter, less frequent meetings are universally appreciated

• Ask your team for opinions and ideas about how to reduce their digital workload lighten the load of those who are struggling by reallocating resources to where they are needed

2. Make Work More Human

As a leader, your team look to you for guidance, support and inspiration so it’s important that they can relate to you on a basic human level. Try not to take yourself too seriously and be approachable and open in your communication.

One in five have met their colleagues’ pets or families virtually.

One in six (17 percent) have cried with a co-worker this past year.

Thirty-nine percent say they’re more likely to be their full, authentic selves at work,
compared to a year ago.

Our Advice:

• Allowing and encouraging people to be themselves is an important step towards cultivating a culture of community, kindness and acceptance in which people can thrive.

• We all know that dress codes went out the window with remote working, yet the work still got done. Why not consider a more relaxed or flexible policy when it comes to appearance when workers return to the office?

• People have been at home every day with their pets for months but many are now worried about leaving their ‘fur babies’ at home. Could ‘Bring Your Pet Day’ be the next great initiative for proactive organisations?

• Share your own experiences and strategies for coping during challenging times and extend a personal offer of assistance to those you think may be struggling.

3. Redesign Workspaces For Hybrid Working And Employee Wellbeing

With many businesses reconsidering their vast CBD office space, now is the perfect time for organisations to design new workspaces to facilitate flexibility, collaboration, movement and employee health and wellbeing.

Our Advice:

• Don’t go back to the old style of office design. Invest in your team’s health and wellbeing by creating workspaces that facilitate movement and collaboration.

• Sitting is the new smoking. Help prevent avoidable chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes and heart disease by outfitting your office space with height adjustable workstations for all employees.

• Review onboarding processes to ensure that support for hybrid work arrangements is
  available for employees early in their careers.

• Consider onsite health and wellbeing initiatives such as meditation or reading rooms,
  exercise facilities, onsite access to health services such as physiotherapy, dietetics,
  exercise physiology and massage

Employees want a work culture that creates a work style that is consistent with their values, not just their work. Future proof your work culture by taking the steps today. Support your hybrid workers. Book a free consultation to discuss how AHO can help.

Source Article: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work