Two years after the start of the pandemic, we’re well into this new hybrid model of working.

Some companies have gone back into the office.

Others have chosen to stay remote.

Many companies are choosing a flexible hybrid model, where employees come into the office some days during the week, and they work from home the rest of the time.

According to one recent study, as many as 74% of US companies are moving toward a hybrid work model this year.

As we navigate through these new & interesting times, it will be critical now more than ever to ensure you’re truly supporting the needs of your hybrid team.

Here are a few suggestions on how your company can support your new, hybrid workforce:

 

1) Offer Support

Your employees are going to need you now more than they ever have before.

It’s been a crazy, uncertain, stressful two years.

Global health crisis – check!
Economic uncertainty – check!
Ongoing stress & anxiety – check! check!

Even though the worst of the pandemic seems to be over, don’t get complacent with checking in on your employees.

They need to know that you care and that you’re listening.

Create a safe space for employees to tell you how they’re feeling and demonstrate that you’re committed to making the situation work for everyone.

2) Watch for signs of burnout 

We’re all under a lot of stress right now, and many people are also irritable and exhausted.

This might even be you!

However, if you notice an employee behaving vastly different from how they would normally act or displaying signs of possible burnout, take steps to help them.

This might include lending an ear, helping them prioritize work tasks or guiding them through some time management strategies.

3) Emphasize Inclusion

It will be challenging, but you’ll want to find a way to create a fair and equitable workplace.

Some people may think in-office employees are more productive and accomplish tasks more efficiently than a remote taskforce, but this simply isn’t true.

Give everyone on the team equal opportunity to weigh in on important decisions and contribute in a non-partisan way.

Consider holding all meetings over Zoom, rather than in a hybrid manner, to make the meetings as fair as possible.

4) Set Priorities but Remain Flexible

Let the team know which tasks are absolutely essential, and which could be lower in priority.

That way if someone’s circumstances at home change (say they get covid or have a sick child), they’ll have the guidance they need to prioritize accordingly.

Consider holding a short meeting with everyone first thing Monday mornings, so everyone is focused for the week.

Check in on your team mid-week, say by Wednesday mid-morning, to see if anyone needs to pass off any tasks, and if another team member can pick up the slack.

5) Don’t Forget to Have Fun 

Be sure to include both remote and on-site employees in things like “informal Zoom rooms” (where people can openly chat about their kids or what’s hot on Netflix), physical activities like hybrid yoga, meditation or fitness programs, educational lunch & learns or a fun, themed lunch.

With all the heaviness of the last two years, don’t forget to create a safe space for your employees to just connect, laugh & have fun too.