Tips for Returning to Hybrid Offices

As vaccination efforts ramp up across the country, it seems like the end of the pandemic is nearly in sight. While experts agree that the nature of work has permanently changed because of it—specifically in regard to attitudes regarding remote work—the fact remains that not every business can, or wants to, go 100 percent virtual. All signs point to a future of hybrid work, with some employees on-site some of the time; however, what that looks like for each organization will be different. With that in mind, though, there are universal tips that can help ease the return to a hybrid office. Start with expectations and training. It’s critical to establish and communicate performance expectations, workflows, and communication schedules will change and train each employee so they have the tools necessary for success. Then, define a workplace strategy that outlines which type of work environment should be used for certain tasks. If an employee needs to do super-focused individual work, that should be performed at home, but when they need to collaborate with team members, they should come into the office. Also, it’s critical that managers can equalize team members’ experiences. If managers only interact with on-site employees, those employees will develop better relationships than their remote counterparts and will likely have more opportunities for growth and promotion. This can lead to cultural imbalances and undercut employee experience. Make sure managers’ time and energy are split equitably among traditional and remote employees.