Marcus Richards
Both society and our workplaces are characterized by rapid development, uncertainty, and complexity. The pandemic accelerated the changes in new ways of working. Companies across the world embraced hybrid working as the new normal and according to Gartner, 39% of global knowledge workers will work hybrid by the end of 2023, up from 37% in 2022.
A hybrid way of working means that the employees have the opportunity to work from home 2 or 3 days a week and be in the office for the remaining days.
With this in mind, hybrid work culture is here to stay. For this reason, cultivating a positive hybrid work environment becomes more important than ever. However, motivating and setting up your team for success in a hybrid environment can be a bit challenging.
In the article below, we look at some simple ways to manage a positive hybrid work environment that will leave your employees feeling accepted, happy, encouraged, and like valued members of the organization.
Prioritize Onboarding and Training
As the world of remote work continues to evolve, hybrid work is becoming more popular. Companies need to prioritize onboarding and training for their new hires so that they can make a smooth transition into the new working environment.
Onboarding and training are essential for any organization, but even more so when it comes to hybrid work. Both remote and in-office employees must have access to the same resources and information so that everyone can feel comfortable with their roles. Training should include not only job-specific tasks but also best practices for effective communication between remote and in-office teams. By focusing on onboarding and training, companies can ensure that all employees are set up for success no matter where they’re located.
Managers must create opportunities for new employees to get through the awkward phase of initiation and to understand their role within the company. Some strategies include:
- Introduce a buddy system, or mentors within your organization;
- Share clear expectations about behavior standards and performance expectations;
- Ask for feedback about the onboarding process;
- Inform newbies about workplace safety codes and conduct;
- Clarify the ways you can collaborate with them in your role as a manager.
Organize Virtual Team Building Activities
The greatest challenge for businesses today is to keep workers motivated, engaged, and productive while they work remotely.
Recruiting managers and company leaders try to improve team participation through a variety of team-building activities, but many workers become more isolated on the day when they work from home. Luckily, with technology at their fingertips, employers can now organize awesome virtual team building activities to boost workers’ morale, encourage teamwork, and foster a positive hybrid work environment.
Virtual team-building activities like lunch and learn sessions, virtual game nights, or virtual workout sessions can help bridge the gap between remote and in-office employees by providing them with a platform to interact with each other, share ideas, collaborate on projects, and build relationships. Not only do they promote communication among team members but they also allow them to bond through fun activities like virtual scavenger hunts or trivia games. By organizing virtual team-building activities, companies can ensure that their teams remain connected despite being physically apart.
Listen To Your Employees
One of the reasons why you hired your employees is probably because they all have great ideas. Listen to your team members’ ideas and take advantage of their individuality. Each employee brings a unique perspective and experience to the project they are working on, whether it is the newest hire or the oldest.
Allow them to speak freely and without judgment. Try out these ideas as you’ll never know what will happen. For starters, the team may become more engaged in the work they do and the outcome of the project.
Develop a Strong Workplace Culture
In today’s ever-changing business environment, developing a positive workplace culture is essential to the success of any organization. As more companies are shifting to hybrid work models, they need to create an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and productivity.
A positive workplace culture can be achieved by encouraging open communication between employees and management, providing flexible working hours, and creating a sense of community among employees. By developing a positive workplace culture, organizations can ensure that their employees feel valued and motivated to do their best at work.
Final Thoughts
The culture that you cultivate and the hybrid environment you create are key to building high-performing teams. The work culture of an organization has a major impact on the lives of its employees and it’s therefore important for any team to create and maintain optimum work conditions. Remember that everyone has a part to play in creating a positive hybrid work environment, regardless of whether you are a leader or a member.
