The working landscape has drastically changed with the pandemic fostering an innovative culture of  ‘hybrid working’. While many have moved to remote-only operations, others are encouraging a  hybrid future of work where some employees work on-site and others remotely.

The hybrid working  model comes with several positives like autonomy, freedom and flexibility, but it also presents  certain challenges that can quickly undermine an employee’s trust and confidence. The key is to build  a working environment where teams can flourish, be it working from an office or working from any  other place. For this to happen, it is important for organisations to put culture in priority, and focus  on transparency and alignment at the core of their hybrid workspace. Technology can be a real  enabler in the hybrid working space as the right combination of technologies can enhance  productivity and streamline workflow processes across the teams.  

Building an Efficient Hybrid Working Model 

True for any change event, commitment to a revised operational setup requires thoughtful handling.  When it is neglected, companies may face several risks – an unproductive, unmotivated employee  base being the least desired. To stop this, companies must forge a hybrid workspace culture  supported by flexibility and transparency where employees feel empowered and perform to the best  of their abilities. Below are the top areas hybrid companies need to address for their working model  to be a success: 

Opportunity 

Workers in a remote setting often feel that they have fewer career development opportunities as  compared to their more visible peers working on-site. In a robust hybrid working model, all  employees are provided with the same opportunities and career development scopes. The  ‘Workforce of the Future’ report reveals that around 35% of employees involved in a survey agreed  to the statement that not sitting in the office with their manager might affect career opportunities  and growth.  

Inclusivity 

Uniting people or building inclusivity was no hard task in the pre-pandemic times when employees  could bond over a cup of coffee and relationships formed. Things are not the same in a hybrid  workspace. Without teams connecting properly, every business runs the risk of creating separation  among employees. To keep the organisational culture alive, it is important to encourage  communication, collaboration and transparency so that employees work unitedly and not just as  individuals.  

Transparency 

To maintain a positive culture and employee engagement, the hybrid model of working requires  companies to be transparent and make sure that everyone feels seen. Apart from daily check-ins and  updates, employees must also be given the chance to speak openly about their work experience and  concerns, if any. Keeping track of vital indicators like capacity, overtime, workload and work hours  should also be a priority. 

Taking Help of Technology 

Using the right technologies for hybrid workplaces, organisations can lower retention, support  recruiting and employee experience and gain a competitive edge in the market. In a pre-pandemic  world, it has become more important than ever to select the proper tools for the future of work.  

Collaboration tools, for example, have become indispensable to organisations where a hybrid work  model is in place. These project management tools help teams to stay on track and see exactly the  progress of a project. Since people don’t usually get the opportunity to work arm in arm, these tools  streamline communication regarding the workflow. Other than that, collaborative tools are also ideal  to foster brainstorming sessions. It isn’t necessary that everyone has to present at the same time.  People can conveniently add their ideas or suggestions through a platform where other ideas  suggested are also visible. A group can then discuss the most suitable options. This way employees  feel connected to the organisation.  

Another way to improve employee engagement is to make use of social tools like an HRMS. With the  help of these tools, companies can arrange polls, surveys and feedback to understand the response  of the employees and take positive actions to encourage unity.  

To facilitate equal opportunity for growth in the organisation, supporting employees’ skills,  experience through learning applications is another key area. AI-based learning system tools can  provide personalised programs, schedules and materials for every employee. This not only improves  learning effectiveness but also boosts engagement.  

Final Words 

In a world, deeply affected by the pandemic, a mix of virtual and in-person environments have  become a reality for several workplaces. They require technologies and processes that further  empower engagement, collaboration and participation. Those who make it right, will reap rich  rewards across employee diversity, happiness, inclusion, and innovation.