1. Ask Your Employees
When you involve your employees in the decision-making process, you create a work environment that motivates them to do their best work. You may find more employees prefer a structured “work-first” model.
You can ask your employees through surveys, online forums, team meetings, or individual conversations. When speaking with your employees, make sure you ask questions about the working environment they’d thrive in the most. Ask them how many days a week they prefer to work on-site and remotely.
2. Use an Infrastructure that Supports Hybrid Work
Hybrid work bridges the gap between on-site and remote work. However, to work in a hybrid environment, you must invest in technologies that enable it. Employees will need communication tools like unified communications applications, video conferencing equipment, and portable devices that allow them to work from anywhere.
If an employee has to lug their heavy equipment back and forth from on-site to home, they are unlikely to agree to a hybrid work model. Prepare your employees by providing them with laptops, mobile devices, applications, etc. There are many ways you can leverage existing technology, get creative!
3. Don’t Forget About the Office
A common mistake many companies make when moving to a hybrid model is neglecting the office. It should remain your number one priority to encourage staff to continue to meet, work, and collaborate on-site. If not, you will quickly lose the morale you have built within the company culture. Not to mention, dropping the office goes against the essence of a hybrid work model.
Creating an atmosphere where employees can connect, bond, and exchange ideas is extremely important. When employees feel a part of a community, they get inspired and work together towards a common goal.
4. Expand Your Talent Pool
Now that your existing employees are working remotely, it is time to hire outside of your region. Hybrid work models allow employers to tap into a pool of candidates that they may not have considered before. There are many advantages to hiring remote workers, and it gives your company a competitive edge by acquiring people with unique skill sets.
Aside from highly talented people, remote workers will also save your company money. By offering a BYOD-friendly UC solution, your company reduces office equipment costs. Remote workers would not be using the physical office; therefore, you save money on real estate, furniture, supplies, and other overhead expenses.
5. Define Flexibility
Does your hybrid work model mean WFH Wednesdays? Every other day you are expected to be in the office? Or can your employees decide where they work each morning?
Flexibility is twofold. It should be structured, but only to an extent. You don’t want your employees going rogue and causing productivity to suffer. But you also need to realize your employees are human, and life happens. Define what your hybrid work model will look like and trust your employees to make the right decision regarding their productivity.
See how the Bicom System team navigates hybrid work by following us on social media!