Hybrid working is a form of flexible working where employees split their time between working from home and working in the office. This type of working arrangement became more popular after the pandemic and is now a very normal type of work. Before the pandemic, only around 32% of the population worked from home. Whereas now, 76% of people say their companies have shifted to a hybrid working model. In this article, we will discuss how you can make your hybrid office the best for you and your employees.

Create a Comfortable & Productive Workspace

For employees who come into the office part-time, it’s important to design an office space that is flexible, comfortable, functional and supports hybrid working. This may include workspaces separated by acoustic partitions that can be easily adapted for different purposes such as meeting rooms, solo workspaces, collaborative workspaces, chill rooms and much more.

It’s also important to create spaces that are good for mental wellbeing. Incorporating items such as plants, natural light and mood-lifting colours can not only create a more relaxing and inviting environment for those who mostly work from home, but it can also do wonders for mood and productivity in office-based employees.

Establish Communication Protocols

Communication is key when it comes to a hybrid work environment. Establishing clear protocols ensures everyone stays connected, informed and productive whether they are in the office or at home. This may include regular team meetings, check-ins, and the use of collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams.

Communication is essential for the success of a hybrid working office. It ensures everyone is on the right track, is up to date with projects and is on the same page.

Emphasise Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of hybrid working is the flexibility. For a truly great work environment, allow employees to set their own schedules and work in a way that works best for them. This can lead to overall job satisfaction and an improved work-life balance which is important for good mental health.

Employees are looking for more freedom now than ever before, and companies are starting to realise that. As long as company performance stays on track and even improves, then why not allow employees to take the lead on their work hours during hybrid working?

Encourage Social Interaction

When working from home, it can be easy to slip into feelings of isolation. To make your office truly great, it’s important to encourage social interactions by planning team events, casual meetups or even virtual coffee breaks. This is especially important for new hires who may feel out of the loop when they start.

Meetups and social interactions with your hybrid team also allows opportunities for those who may miss each other on office-based/home-based days. It’s great for fostering communication and building relationships outside of the office.

Provide Sufficient Tech

In a hybrid work environment, it’s essential that employees have access to the right technology to stay connected and productive. This usually includes laptops, smartphones and collaboration tools l like Zoom.

Providing employees with sufficient tech can be a ‘make or break’ moment for new candidates as well as those who are looking to carry out their job well. For example, graphic designers may find Macbooks more useful than PCs, and may require surface pens to create truly unique work.

Focus on Results

In a hybrid work environment, it’s important to focus on the results of your team rather than the hours they work. Establish clear goals and deadlines and trust employees to manage their time effectively.

This approach has many benefits such as:

  • Boosting employee morale and job satisfaction
  • Focusing on results can lead to increased productivity
  • Employers can gain a more accurate picture of what their employees are achieving

This approach requires a high level of trust between employees and employers and everyone must be responsible for their own work.

In conclusion, hybrid working is a great idea for modern offices. It allows employees to balance that perfect work-life balance and even encourages them to be more productive. Different ways you can make your hybrid office the best include encouraging flexibility, designing the perfect office space, focusing on results instead of hours and much more. Are you ready to make the shift towards hybrid working?