How To Successfully Transition To A Hybrid Work Model

Published
January 10, 2022
Come effettuare con successo la transizione a modello di lavoro ibrido
One of the topics at the center of the attention of HR specialists nowadays is the transition to a hybrid work model, which is a valid alternative between the permanent return to the office and remote work, as it offers more flexibility to workers and meets their needs.

According to a recent study, 70% of workers prefer hybrid work. That is why the number of companies shifting to this working model keeps growing.

However, what the hybrid work model entitles is still to be defined. Some companies are thinking of adopting an office-first approach, where the office remains the predominant place to meet and carry out the activities. Other companies are moving towards a remote-first model, allowing most employees to work from home.

To fully reap all the advantages of hybrid work, companies need to ensure that the transition happens in a fluid and controlled way. It is not an easy change, and it comes with many difficulties: communication barriers, team management, redefinition of the role of the office, etc.

According to an analysis carried out by the Boston Consulting Group, which involved 12,000 employees in the US, Germany, and India, 75% of respondents said they had maintained, if not increased, their levels of productivity concerning individual activities, while for those of a collaborative nature, the percentage drops to 51%. The issue of productivity is one of the most delicate issues of the topic, especially when it comes to managers; it is crucial, therefore, to understand how to support teams during this transition, ensuring that productivity remains high.

  1. Plan . Before implementing any changes, prepare a clear transition plan. Once ready and authorized, share it with the entire company. Regardless of how the company operates and the direction it wants to take, the action plan should determine which employees will work remotely or from the office, a decision that varies according to the team. Furthermore, from a security point of view, it is fundamental to keep track of who is in the office, to be able to welcome people in the best possible way, avoid overcrowding, dedicate areas to specific teams and establish health protocols to maintain the space clean.
  2. Communicate . Communicating with employees is of utmost importance; conversing with people about their current situation is the first step to take. Every manager should schedule meetings with their tea, listen to concerns, and address them whenever possible.
  3. Collaborate . If you want the transition to happen successfully, you need to empower different teams to collaborate and work together, no matter where they are. It is necessary to equip the office and provide people working from home with the right technology and tools to ensure successful partnerships and collaboration. For example, if you’ve noticed that your employees’ connection drops frequently, you might want to consider investing in an internet upgrade for these people.
  4. Listen . During a time of change, you must take care of the well-being of employees, making sure there is a healthy work-life balance. Burnout is a typical consequence when people go through change. Pay attention to the behaviors of your people; if you notice actions that are out of the ordinary, it may be necessary to take measures and develop an action plan to support team members.

Several pieces of research show that many people around the globe are considering changing employers this year. Taking action not to be left behind and switching to a hybrid model is necessary not to lose your talents. Companies need to carefully time and plan the transition to a hybrid work model and support employees throughout the process. Talk to your employees and show them that you care about their opinion. Not only will their intrinsic motivation increase, but it would also give them a good reason to stay on.
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