Before the advent of the global coronavirus pandemic that’s causing COVID-19, it was customary for many organizations to allow some employees to work from home while others labored at the corporate office.
For example, individuals might work from home temporarily because they are new parents or are taking care of an elderly relative at home. Or, they work in a distant location and never set foot in your headquarters.
But with an imperative to keep people safer with social distancing, businesses are adopting plans to allow for hybrid workplaces to become their “new normal.”
About 66% of company leaders report that they are now contemplating reconfiguring their offices to foster hybrid work, according to Statista. And about 73% of employees say they prefer to continue with remote work even after the pandemic.
If your organization is considering a hybrid workplace model so you can remain competitive and keep your team feeling more secure, healthy, and safe, read on for insight into this relatively new way of doing business.
What Constitutes a Hybrid Workplace?
Essentially, a hybrid workplace means you now have a distributed workforce of people who labor on company premises and those who work out in the field (such as traveling salespeople) and who work out of home offices. Sometimes remote workers will come into the office to meet with their colleagues or bosses in person.
Matching the Right Equipment to Your Hybrid Workforce Team
A hybrid office will depend on technology to tie everyone together. You can accomplish
this with safe and secure laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
An easy way to make sure everyone uses the same version and type of software to collaborate is to rely on cloud computing. Software as a Service or SaaS allows your workers to use an ordinary browser or a customized dashboard to access information from any location. Your IT department won’t be burdened with updating software in this way since the SaaS provider’s computer experts will be taking care of this kind of chore for you.
All the principles of ergonomics that you follow in-house will apply to employees who work at home. This includes a comfortable chair positioned at a desk with a computer to see the screen without craning their necks.
Ideally, you will issue equipment, from phones to laptops and printers. Employees would rather keep their personal phones and computers separate from work tasks. You’ll have more control and security when you have them use corporate devices.
Benefits and Drawbacks of a Hybrid Workplace
A hybrid workplace helps you recruit better candidates who appreciate flexibility. It also allows you to hire talented people from remote when there is a shortage of suitable employees in your city. Another major advantage is that you have fewer people in the building, which cuts down on transmitting disease.
Drawbacks of a hybrid workplace include employees feeling disconnected from their colleagues. You can address this with more video conferences, such as checking in with a daily meeting. And you can still have workers come into the office periodically, such as at the conclusion of your latest project.
Keep an eye on employee burnout. People in work-from-home setups may work longer hours to appear to be productive. Make sure they work regular hours. Indicate that you prize good outcomes rather than chronic overtime as you encourage employees to work at a reasonable pace.
Do You Need Assistance Setting up a Hybrid Workplace for Your Team?
Creating a situation where employees can successfully work out of their own home offices or at your headquarters will require a few changes, such as addressing whether workers use their own equipment or if you will provide it for them.
You’ll also need to ensure their connections are safe and secure against cybercriminals, to protect any sensitive information you gather, store, process, and transmit between workers and customers.
To learn more about setting up a successful hybrid workplace, contact the experts at ATSI Business Communications Systems at 713-622-8666 today.
