Workplaces shifting to remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the face of workplaces for good. Now that things are starting to become normal once again slowly and gradually, it’s time for workplaces to start operating physically once again. But this large-scale remote work experience will make businesses reimagine their work dynamics and the role that offices play in the future of their companies. According to Harvard Business Review, It’s possible that workplaces might not fully shift back from remote to physical, rather a hybrid form of work is introduced that will reimagine safe, productive and enjoyable workplaces all around the world.
With all the new responsibility that now lies on managers to manage a hybrid form of workplace efficiently, here are some tips from experts to help things run smoothly and effectively:
1. Reconstruct Work Dynamics:
The work dynamics have changed drastically over remote work. Previously, collaboration over various projects was in meetings and other methods that existed before the remote work contexts. But since the pandemic, officers have invested in different organisational communication software and platforms that help them collaborate and carry out important processes remotely. It also enabled most workplaces to hire international employees and increased the diversity of talent within their organisation. It’s important to now figure out what works best for a business, should they completely go back to physical workplaces to continue this hybrid process that enables getting more talent and communication involved in the work process.
2. Flexibility to Work Remotely:
Having the option to work remotely has made it easier on the employees that have to take care of their family or perform other tasks along with work. This gives way to a hybrid workplace that allows employees to work remotely full time or few days a week to create a work-life balance. It is now up to the organisation to introduce work flexibility and decide whether they want to bring the work to the people or people to the work. As mentioned previously, a remote workplace allows companies to hire international talent, which can prove to be helpful in hiring people who are not able to relocate but will prove to be a great asset to the organisation. The new hybrid workplace dynamic can have the following features:
- Fully remote
- Hybrid remote
- Hybrid remote by exception: working physically few days a week
- Fully in-office
Depending on the employee’s work requirements, it can be decided which category they fall into.
3. Flexible Work Schedules:
During remote work, deadlines were majorly flexible and so were work schedules. It almost demolished the concept of a 9-5 job work day. When shifting to a physical workplace, managers can now focus on making the work schedules flexible because the 9-5 dynamic does not fit in anymore. Not every employee needs to stay till the official off-time if they’re done with their work early, should be allowed 1 or 2 days off during the week if they don’t have any work during those days. They can spend that time with their family or relaxing however they please. Remote work has definitely changed the way workplaces operate and a new flexible work schedule will need to be introduced in order to keep up with the new dynamics of an efficient and productive workplace.
These are the three main concepts that managers need to focus on in order to keep the workplace productive and avoid employee retention. Pandemic has shown us that there is no need for rigid schedules that only make life harder for everyone. Rather a new hybrid and flexible workplace is the new norm!
