Hybrid working: choosing where and when your employees will work, i.e. at home, in the office or perhaps even in the field - with the necessary flexibility. The choice no longer being dependent on the available building space, but rather on the type of work, the purpose of the activity, interaction and, obviously, the personal preferences of employees and customers. The pandemic created the concept of “working from home”, which you can now use in a targeted manner. An efficient future for many employers, but employees also recognise its benefits.
What is important when you allow your employees to “turn their kitchen table into a work space” for a few days each week?
- Set up unequivocal agreements to suit the needs of your employees. Sara, for example, can concentrate better alone in her living room, while Mathijs feels that it is important to mix with people every day. We all operate differently, find out where each employee derives his or her energy from. - Make the appointments.
Don't lose sight of practicalities. How will you communicate? How is everyone kept up to date?
- Even if everyone does not visit the office every day, it is still important to ensure that the atmosphere among employees remains positive and that everyone is kept informed. For example, you can create a team group focused on significant work related topics. A WhatsApp group, on the other hand, has its advantages for intermediate work related communications. This communication medium is also perfect for sharing a funny moment, so that Sara who is working from home can still participate in and enjoy the work atmosphere. - Fix the practical details.
- Research conducted by Dr. Pascal Peters demonstrates that working from home has an adverse effect on work happiness and the connection between colleagues. It is important, therefore, to allow scope for and plan regular physical meetings attended by all your employees. The occasional informal moment between colleagues is a huge boost to motivation. - Create the energy boost.
Hybrid working is not an exact science; each company/employee functions differently. Closely monitored follow-up and communication is key if you want to define the optimal working environment within your company and implementation within your corporate culture increases productivity. There is no noise from co-workers talking amongst each other or on the phone, which means that your employee will be more focused and productive. Net working time will also considerably increase as a result. Hour-long meetings can now be turned into brief and concise online meetings. Furthermore, your employees’ appreciation will increase tremendously when they can combine their private and professional lives: picking up the children from school in the afternoon, but making up that time in the evening. We have noted that employees feel a greater responsibility when they engage in hybrid working. People generally manage time much more efficiently. - Motivated employees are crucial to a company's success.
Hybrid working is a novelty for many companies - a novelty that enhances productivity, independence, efficiency and motivation. The key to this: trust, sound agreements and communication.