Hybrid Work: a future-proof way to do it!

The crisis of the past two years has accelerated digitisation. Society was eagerly looking for new ways to stay in touch and to make everyday life as normal as possible. The new normal was born. Now that the bulk of the crisis is - hopefully - behind us, several things have changed irreversibly. For example, for many employers and employees, working (partly) from home is here to stay. Standing in traffic jams or squeezing through crowded trains every day is a thing of the past. Weekly meetings usually remain online. And for many employers, flexibility is a must rather than a Unique Selling Point. Hybrid working is the new norm. But how do you do that in a future-proof way?

What is Hybrid work?

Hybrid work is a way of working where the employee works partly from home and partly in the office. The working environment is thus flexible. The combination is ideal for both employers and employees. EenVandaag recently polled that some 77% of the people in employment like to work hybrid. Even now that the corona measures are most likely over for good. In addition, the government is also encouraging the business community to stimulate and continue to facilitate hybrid work, even after the crisis.

The advantages of hybrid working

The popularity of (partly) working from home can be logically explained. Many companies found that the trust and flexibility they gave to their employees paid off in a big way. After all, a hybrid work environment provides the following benefits.

• Increased productivity:
  

  By allowing employees to choose where they work best on a particular task, productivity increases. This allows them to choose where they work best on a given task. Do employees enjoy each other's energy during a physical brainstorming session in the office? Or are they on top of the world when they focus on completing a strategy in a home office? 

• Less travel:
  

  If we don't all have to visit each other for every meeting, this makes a huge difference in travel time. We also spend less time in traffic jams. According to ANWB, there were 57% fewer traffic jams on Dutch roads in 2021. This saves a lot of travel time and is also better for the environment.

• More work satisfaction
  

  Work occupies a large part of our daily lives. By creating a hybrid working environment, it is easier to combine personal needs with work. Time for sports during lunch, less travel time, short online meetings - it all contributes to overall happiness at work. 

The downside of a hybrid work environment

Every advantage has its disadvantage. There are also several disadvantages to hybrid work. Many workers report that they miss contact with colleagues. Or that they know too little about what goes on in the office. The sense of belonging can also be lacking in the long run. Another aspect to consider is monitoring the work-life balance. For example, home workers are only a few steps away from their workplace all day. Even after working hours. Be sure to take this into account when your organisation offers a hybrid work environment.

Hybrid work: this is how you do it. Our 7 tips

There are many ways to connect employees - online and offline.

1. Provide a good workplace at home: working comfortably is important for good productivity.

2. Invest in good employee branding and an internal communication strategy: Think of a plan how to inform employees and keep them connected and involved, and appropriate activations for interaction. 

3. Work on an internal communication plan for hybrid working: Record how you deal with this form of working, what the possibilities are and how you communicate about this.

4. Have well organised online meetings: From streamlined video calls to online conferences - technology, a clear story and structure ensure that a message sticks.

5. Host an event in a hybrid way: An important presentation? A product launch? Quarterly meetings? Make it accessible to everyone and ensure that the event can also be attended virtually.

6. Structure and channel information: Make sure that everyone can access important files from any location. You can centralise all work in the cloud, for example.Gelukkig zijn er voldoende manieren om werknemers met elkaar te verbinden - online én offline. 

7. Organise a periodic 'catch-up day': Create a connection by experiencing things together. Plan fun events, brainstorming sessions and knowledge sessions to maintain a good working atmosphere between colleagues and to ensure that they meet each other in person on a regular basis. 

Introducing a new way of working:
how to do it

Is hybrid working the new norm for your organisation? Make sure that it is properly addressed collectively. Launch an internal campaign, streamline information and capture attention with a playful campaign. For ING, for example, we informed and activated their employees with the Happy Hybrid Mode campaign. A 'welcome back' campaign to create connection after 1.5 years of working from home.

Need help with your internal communication issue? Our communication specialists are ready for you. Contact us without any obligations.