Tips for Hybrid Work
While working in a hybrid environment is a big plus for many employees (the 2021 Work Trend Index said over 70 percent of workers want flexible remote work options to continue) it does come with its own unique set of challenges. Some of the main drawbacks are not having clear boundaries around working hours which can result in work burnout, being disconnected from your team, and feeling disjointed when continuously transitioning from working in the office to working from home. If you’re in a hybrid work model and experiencing any of these common complaints, here are some tips to help you thrive in your current situation…
Have Boundaries
When working from home, some can feel they always need to be on and available for all work calls and emails no matter the time, but if you find yourself working around the clock and exhausted, it’s time to set some healthy boundaries. Let your co-workers and boss know that unless it’s a work emergency, to only contact you during your work hours and let go of the need to address evening work emails that can easily wait until the next morning.
Set a Schedule
If you’re in a hybrid work situation where you go into the office a couple of days a week and work from home the other days, set your schedule accordingly. Be methodical with what projects you can work on in the office (ideally collaborative work or having meetings with the team) and keep the projects you need quiet and focused time on for when you’re at home. You’ll want to maximize your time in both environments so think how you work best and then plan your tasks around whether you’ll be in the office or at home that day.
Focus on Team Building
When you work in a hybrid environment, it’s even more important to focus on team building and collaboration. In a recent Forbes article they state that “teams who collaborate intentionally are almost three times more likely to achieve high team innovation than teams that do not use an intentional approach.” Collaboration is a big part of a successful team, and if you have employees that are hybrid or fully remote, it’s something that should be scheduled into the week. By communicating frequently, it will ensure everyone is on the same page, that the team feels more connected, and will build trust. Thanks to technology, there are a variety of tools most companies use to encourage communication and collaboration in the workplace including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Video Conferencing, and Project management software.