In most industries, hybrid working models could become the norm in the future. 73% of employees would like to have hybrid working. More and more companies are recognizing the potential of hybrid work flexibility and are offering team members the opportunity to work from home, in a coworking space, or on the road.
With Hybrid Work, many tasks and jobs can be done online on a laptop or smartphone thanks to digital networking, which means that a fixed workstation in the office is no longer absolutely necessary.
Hybrid working has many advantages. It reduces office space, makes workplaces flexible, reduces costs and ensures greater employee satisfaction.
What is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid working includes the combination of home office, remote work and working in the office. Team members can flexibly decide when and where they work.
Unlike remote work, all team members have the ability to go to the office and work from there at any time.
Is there a recipe for success for Hybrid Work?
We share with you the 3 ingredients to implement Hybrid Work efficiently and sustainably.
1. preparation
Basic questions
First, it should be clarified whether a hybrid work model is feasible at all in your company. Are there team members or departments that should be in the office on a regular basis? What form of hybrid working do you want to integrate?
Technical equipment
Check whether all employees are equipped with the appropriate technology. Are all workstations well prepared? What software tools are needed for Hybrid Work?
Questioning the office space
When introducing Hybrid Work, the design of the office should also be rethought and redesigned. Use your office space smarter and offer desk sharing.
Workplace organization
Clarify which tool you can use to make workstations bookable online. This will save you and your team members a lot of time and organization, as everyone has an overview of who is in the office and which workstations are occupied.
Legal topics
Particularly on the subject of home offices, there are obligations that derive from the Workplace Ordinance. The term home office is not legally defined. It is most comparable with teleworking, which is regulated in Section 2 (7) of the Workplace Ordinance.
According to this, employers are obligated to equip a monitor workstation in the private area. The teleworking workplace only becomes valid when the conditions of teleworking have been defined in the employment contract or in an agreement.
Mobile working, on the other hand, is not comparable with any legally regulated work model. In contrast to the home office or telecommuting, team members perform their work completely independent of location. If they decide to work predominantly from home, this does not automatically make them telecommuters.
As an employer, you have the option of choosing between the combination of office and telecommuting or office and mobile work within the framework of the hybrid work model. It is recommended to choose the second option.
Data security
With Hybrid Work, data security is incredibly important. For data security, it is best if the employee is provided with a device. Every team member should make sure that only secured hotspots are used and that no one else can read them. End devices should be secured, even if they are stolen from the possession. Encryption of the data carrier is important here, so that no data can be stolen even if it is stolen.
2. communication
Trust
Without a culture of trust, hybrid working cannot be implemented. You need to trust that work and performance will be delivered despite the freedoms associated with the hybrid model. The entire team should always be able to rely on each other. It also increases inner motivation and identification through self-determination.
Good communication
For Hybrid Work to work, good communication is essential. Involve your employees as early as possible. Whether through open conversation or surveys, involving your employees in planning can never be done early enough. Create a team codex that everyone feels comfortable with.
3. integration
Feedback conversations
Give your team regular feedback and get feedback yourself. The new processes and procedures can thus be constantly optimized. In this way, you can prevent dissatisfaction in the team and optimize the daily work routine.
Regular meetings
Regular meetings can be very supportive to ensure that your team doesn't miss each other's work and that contact is maintained. Just like on-site meetings, make sure to organize team meetings efficiently by making the intention clear in advance and setting a time frame.
Team Events
Host regular offline or online team events where everyone can get to know each other better and have fun together. In addition to team events, virtual coffee breaks are also a great way to strengthen team spirit.
Digital structures
Files, folders and important information should be easy for each team member to find. Incorporate clear folder structures and what tools are used for what, so that each team member has clarity about where he/she can find what. For example, you can also create an internal Wikipedia with the most important information.
Keyless access to the office
Integrate keyless access into the office using digital locking systems to ensure greater security, flexibility and efficiency. You can manage access permissions of your team members online. There is also the possibility to trigger it through room bookings. This way you have an overview of who has access to which doors and keys can no longer get lost.
Implementation of hybrid working
The topic of hybrid working can seem endless and can seem overwhelming at first glance. But the road to implementation is by no means rocky. Our free Hybrid Work Guide lays the foundation for a successful transformation to hybrid work and, thanks to the step-by-step instructions, serves as a basis for further decisions.
