Hybrid Work: Common Challenges and How to Avoid Them
Have you implemented a permanent hybrid work arrangement or is your company still in a period of transition? Although there is pressure on organizations to make the existing remote or hybrid work arrangements the norm, it is reasonable that they have reservations. The in-office work model that existed for decades before the pandemic was the result of plenty of research and organisational study. It has unconsciously shaped our perception of work and work behaviours.
While technology adoption and digital transformation have accelerated in the past three years, changing the way we work is not as simple as introducing new tech. You need to constantly refine and improve these flexible work arrangements before settling on a resilient model that works for your business. Start by identifying and addressing challenges in your hybrid work strategy as quick wins before moving on to more time intensive aspects in your hybrid work policy.
Small improvements can make a big difference in the way your employees see work. Here are 4 common challenges to address when it comes to hybrid work.
Challenge 1: Lack of structure and boundaries
How to address it: Set clear guidelines
One way to maximise hybrid work arrangements is to define 3 value-creation zones for employees. After that, establish precise rules for how they can operate in any of the three zones, whether they are working remotely or in the workplace, to be as productive as possible.
In general, hybrid work guidelines should state what is required of employees, such as where they will be working, when and which days of the week. These guidelines should also include review processes for constructive monitoring and improvement of an employee’s hybrid work options.
Challenge 2: Communication challenges
How to address it: Effective Communication strategies and technology
For hybrid work to be successful, effective communication strategies and reliable technology need to be in place to keep your workforce seamlessly connected. Lines of communication need to remain open and accessible to all employees especially for fresh graduates and new hires who require more support from senior members of the team in their daily tasks.
When remote work was “forced” upon us by the pandemic, there was little time to analyse, experiment and consider how best to facilitate internal and external communication. In the 3 years since, new technology has also emerged to solve challenges in virtual collaboration.
Get in touch with us and we will work with you to address any gaps in your communication tech stack.
Challenge 3: Not preparing managers for hybrid work
How to address it: Manager Training and Regular Check ins
The hybrid work lifestyle has required experienced employees to embrace change but for fresh graduates and new hires, joining the company during a period of transition can result in higher levels of anxiety.
Empathetic managers who are trained to be effective communicators know how to create the ideal environment for their team to thrive whether in the office or not. Furthermore, they have a considerable impact on their employee’s mental health.
By embracing digital transformation, managers can free up their time to focus on developing their leadership skills. Mentoring team members and growing the teams’ capabilities is possible when their time and attention is not spent on time-intensive work. Using automation for these tasks and utilising an all-in-one workplace platform is the ideal place to start.
Human Resources also play a part in reassuring new employees they are not alone. They can do this by creating a thorough onboarding experience where avenues of support and open communication channels are extended.
Challenge 4: An overstretched IT department
How to address it: Bolster your team with professional support
The technological infrastructure and management necessary to support remote work and digital transformation are a challenge especially for larger enterprises. With cyber threats at an all-time high, whether you’re an SME or enterprise, robust security is an absolute must for hybrid and remote work.
On top of managing this, IT departments also face adhoc support requests from employees such as “my mic doesn’t work on Teams calls”. Remote IT support is imperative to support hybrid work arrangements.
Many IT professionals experience burnout due to the stress and volume of concerns they face since the introduction of new technologies to support flexible work. Outsourcing to professional, proven IT companies dedicated to delivering a positive customer experience can be a good way to take some of the heat of your IT team. These companies offer managed IT services that can complement your IT teams and keep them more focused on the important aspects such as IT security.
