In recent years, there's been a lot of talk about the benefits of hybrid work. For businesses the advantages are clear: hybrid work models can improve employee productivity and satisfaction, while reducing overhead costs. But there are also some pitfalls that companies should be aware of before embarking on this project. What does it actually take to make hybrid work? Here are four key factors to consider.
1. Employee Engagement
One of the most important factors in making hybrid work is employee engagement. Our experience is that employees who are engaged in the process are more likely to be satisfied with their work-life balance after transitioning to a hybrid model. When making this change in your organization, it's important to involve employees early in the implementation process, and make sure they understand the expectations, rules and of course benefits of the new system.
2. Coordination and Communication
Another key factor in making hybrid work is coordination and communication. Since employees will be working remotely part of the time, it's important to have a system in place for keeping everyone on the same page. A system that makes it easy for a manager to have an overview, as well as the individual employee to plan their workday. This might be as easy as finding their colleagues or in general be able to plan a predictable and efficient workday.
3. Transparency and Trust
A third important factor in making hybrid work is transparency and trust. For employees to feel comfortable with the new arrangement, they need to trust that the management have their best interests at heart. This means being transparent about why you're transitioning to a hybrid model, what the expectations are, and how you'll be monitoring progress. It also means being open to feedback from employees and making changes if something isn't working as planned.
4. Technology Infrastructure
Finally, one of the most important factors in making hybrid work is having a strong technology infrastructure in place. The Noova FLX platform gives you the opportunity to plan and organize your new hybrid office in a simple way. You get insights and digital tools, enabling your employees to easily collaborate with their colleagues, book their favorite desk, take a well-deserved break in the quiet zone, or meet a colleague in the social zone.
All this while you, as manager, have a full overview of how the building is used. You can use this insight to optimize the building's available area for the best, for both finances and the sustainability goals of your company. Without the right technology infrastructure in place, it will be difficult for employees to stay connected and productive while working remotely.
Making hybrid work requires careful planning and consideration of how to best engage employees, and which technology to use. It’s important to find the right partner, not only on the technology side, but also when it comes to change management support. By keeping these four factors in mind, you can set your business up for success with hybrid work.
Noova FLX has implemented hybrid office solutions for companies with 200 to 1500 employees. Would you like to know more about our previous projects?
