How will we work in the future? Regarding this question, there is no way around the hybrid work, i.e., the mix of office presence and home office. However, the implementation is associated with a variety of challenges. We have summarized what companies need to consider for hybrid work to lead to success.
Adapt Office Space To The New Ways Of Working
With hybrid working, the company office serves as a hub for collaboration. This is where people meet, exchange ideas, and feel part of the company culture. At home, however, tasks that require concentration and calm are carried out. However, the reality is more complex. Many employees go to the office to concentrate on their work and meet their colleagues. According to a study by the Gensler Research Institute, six out of ten employees would like to have their desks in the office where they can get all their work done. Therefore, a variety of spaces are required: open areas for cooperation and communication and closed quiet zones for concentration and contemplation.
New Demands On HR, IT, And Real Estate Departments
With hybrid working, IT, HR, and real estate departments have to make many decisions to ensure the teams’ efficiency, fairness, and equality across all work channels. Roles are changing, and new job titles such as Chief Experience Officer (CXO) or Chief Happiness Officer are emerging. The HR department needs knowledge about which rooms and technologies the individual employees can feel comfortable and productive with. The real estate team may need to revise office leases, and IT has to implement many of the decisions made. That means they all need comprehensive data on how individuals within the hybrid workforce behave and what equipment they need.
Standardized Or Customized Model?
A crucial question when designing hybrid models is: should there be a standardized approach, or can employees organize their workday according to their ideas and with their preferred technologies? Too much freedom carries risks: if employees choose their equipment themselves, the number of technologies in the company increases. And that’s not only a challenge for the IT department; it also makes collaboration difficult. Ideally, companies find a balance between regulation and individual freedom.
New Standards For Office Evaluation
When employees are fewer in the office, it changes its purpose and the standards by which the space is measured. So far, this has depended on how many people can be accommodated in an office. Businesses today need a complete picture of space utilization that is more people-centric. Here, for example, factors such as the well-being of employees, CO 2, energy consumption, further training, team performance, and social interaction can be included.
Uniform Technologies In The Office And Home Office
When people work in the office, at home, in a co-working space, or on the go, there is no longer just one center – the office – but several. The support infrastructure must also be aligned with this polycentric model – with measures such as WLAN at home and remote diagnostic tools. And that’s not just a question of the IT budget but also shared values and ideas about collaboration. Technology concepts help with this. They lead to a democratization of work – regardless of where it is carried out.
Conclusion
Meeting equality and equal treatment is significant for the success of the hybrid model. For all employees to feel included, regardless of location, companies must consider how best to use their space, how employees want to work, and which technologies enable a seamless hybrid experience. Having the right equipment and a code of conduct for everyone is critical to a happy, healthy, and productive workforce in the hybrid workplace.
