The Hybrid Workplace Is the Future. Here’s How to Get There.

The Hybrid Workplace Is the Future. Here’s How to Get There.

According to a recent Gallup poll, about half of the U.S. full-time workforce say their jobs can be done remotely, at least on a part-time basis. Forty-two percent of those working remotely have a hybrid schedule, while 39 percent work from home full-time. However, just 24 percent expect to continue working remotely full-time, although 38 percent say they don’t know when or why to go to the office. Just 28 percent of organizations have policies that answer those questions.

Clearly, organizations are struggling with the sudden shift from simply enabling remote work to implementing a truly hybrid workplace. What’s the difference? Well, the ability to work from home doesn’t mean employees can automatically work collaboratively, productively and securely in a hybrid environment. A successful hybrid workplace requires organizational changes that go beyond each employee having a laptop and an Internet connection.

What Is a Hybrid Workplace?

When the pandemic hit, most organizations were forced into a work-from-home model. It was a bit of a “wild west” situation, but companies did whatever had to be done almost overnight to stay afloat. In the process, many organizations realized that employees could be just as productive working remotely. As restrictions have lifted, they have set forth plans to make the hybrid workplace a long-term solution.

A hybrid workplace provides flexibility as to where, when and how an organization’s employees do their jobs. Some work in the office, some work remotely and others do both. The biggest challenge to overcome focuses on breaking away from the “wild west” approach to create a hybrid workplace that enables collaboration, accountability and security without compromising the flexibility workers have come to enjoy.

Keys to a Successful Hybrid Workplace

The formula for success is equal parts culture and technology. From a cultural perspective, are remote workers valued and supported as well as in-office workers? Are remote workers as engaged and connected? Do they have the same opportunities for growth and advancement? Are remote workers held accountable to the same extent as in-office workers?

For the hybrid workplace to work as a long-term solution, everyone must be part of the same culture and share the same vision. This culture and vision must be reinforced with policies and guidelines that clarify how the organization’s hybrid model works. Trust has to be established in all directions between leadership, employees, the physical workplace and remote work settings. Once the right culture is established, the location of workers won’t matter.

Of course, the right technology is essential to supporting and achieving a culture that enables the hybrid workplace to function and excel.

For example, trust and engagement are built when remote workers can seamlessly collaborate in real time with reliable video conferencing, messaging and file-sharing tools. Remote workers will be trusted to perform high-value tasks when you have the systems in place to ensure security and compliance. And questions about remote workers pulling their weight will be all but eliminated if you can monitor and measure their work and productivity.

Given today’s ultra-competitive employment landscape, providing a rewarding remote work experience built on a culture of collaboration will help you attract and retain talent. This begins with providing communication tools that work just as well at home as they do in the C-suite.

Verteks Can Help

Verteks offers industry-leading solutions for communication, collaboration and security, as well as managed services to ensure in-office and remote work environments are monitored and functioning at an optimal level. Contact us to discuss how to make a successful leap from remote work to the hybrid workplace.


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