The hybrid work model has been dominating team management for almost six months now – over that period of time, team leaders learned a lot about its challenges and developed helpful workarounds.
At this point, hybrid work is starting to stabilize as a viable and productive way of working. However, some issues are yet to be resolved – the executive-employee disconnect, security risks that come together with mixing on-site and remote work styles, as well as workplace engagement.
In this episode of the hybrid work digest, we dive deeper into these and other issues through the lens of the latest news, discussions, and how-to articles.
To see how we got there, check out our last episode of the digest and keep an eye on the blog for updates – we are commenting on the latest hybrid work news every Monday.
News
1. Homeowners buying two properties in a bet that hybrid work sticks
With more companies offering hybrid work after the pandemic, the hybrid housing trend is skyrocketing. A growing number of homeowners are buying two places – one closer to the office and one in cheaper areas.
2. New report: “On the journey to hybrid working”
Poly, a leader in video conferencing hardware production publishes a joint report with WORKTECH Academy that gives American owners a detailed rundown of the things they should consider in a hybrid transition.
3. Cisco is building a conscious workplace culture for hybrid work
The multinational technology conglomerate is betting heavily on inclusivity by partnering with Emtrain, an eLearning and analytics platform that helps leaders diversify and create a conscious approach to workplaces.
4. Tech majors step up to secure hybrid workforce
From Cisco to Dell, leading tech companies are developing strategies to fortify the security of hybrid workplaces. Learn more about their approaches to safer, more protected workplaces.
5. Chair Stalking returns to Bryant Park as Midtown Begins to Perk Up
Though office capacity has been fluctuating over the past few months, things are looking better for Midtown. From hotels increasing industry-event bookings to coffee shops welcoming more office workers for a cup of coffee, find out how NYC is picking up pre-pandemic routines.
Opinions:
1. The outlook on employee training in the hybrid world
Employee onboarding is one of the most prominent operational challenges for hybrid workplaces. Ensure effective training for new hires is not easy in the new environment, by discovering its challenges and best practices.
2. Hybrid work post-COVID: why young professionals should optimize their time in the office
For the last two years, fresh graduates were entering the workplace remotely – some of them felt like they are missing out on networking and career opportunities. Now that more companies are switching to hybrid work, new hires have the opportunity to come to offices – here’s why and how they should seize it.
3. What different generations think about hybrid work
One thing has united boomers, Gen-X, millennials, and Gen-Z on their hybrid work outlook – no one is a fan of commutes. On everything else, the four generations have different outlooks explored in a recent Forbes article.
4. How marginalized workers can make the most out of remote work
Marginalized workers often struggle with feeling recognized in their teams, whether they go to offices or work from home. Hybrid work gives them the freedom to choose the best way to work
5. Why employees don’t want return to office
If people aren’t coming to offices three days a week the way their employees want them to and are not following the attendance rules, could it be that the rules simply make no sense? An insightful post by Recode exposes the motivations behind managers wanting employees back at their desks – these have little to do with productivity.
Tips
1. Six ways to make your hybrid work more inclusive
According to McKinsey, few executives have a structured vision of hybrid work – for most, the transition came about as a need to retain employees and cope with COVID fluctuations. That’s why few had enough time to reflect on the meaning of diversity and flexibility in the hybrid context. It’s time to address this concern.
2. Leading a remote team: four tips for getting the most out of your staff – no matter where they are
Team leaders understandably struggle with workplace unity when their teams are scattered across the globe or spread across office spaces and remote workspaces. To help managers make sense of running a hybrid team, HP published a list of instantly applicable tips.
3. Making the most of Microsoft Teams to empower hybrid work
Microsoft Teams is a powerhouse in video conferencing that supported remote work since the start of the COVID outbreak. Now that most teams are moving to the next level – hybrid work model, the tech giant is stepping up its game and helps leaders create seamless, scalable workflows.
4. Gone for now or gone for good? How to play the new talent game and win back workers?
In the post-pandemic world, the job market and talent retention follow a different playbook compared to the old practices. McKinsey takes a deeper look at the new set of rules to help team leaders stay ahead of the game.
This episode of the hybrid work digest is brought to you by oVice – a virtual office platform created with hybrid teams in mind. It offers a customizable environment that helps bridge the gap between remote and on-site working by enabling smooth, natural interactions for all work styles.
Since our launch in 2020, over 20,000 companies all over the world have successfully used oVice to implement remote and hybrid workflows without sacrificing the spontaneity and transparency of the office.
To see how the platform works and meet our team, take a tour around our virtual office space.
