Hybrid is the new normal – here’s how to support your workforce
The pandemic changed just about everything, including how, when and where we work. Remote and hybrid working is now the new reality, with Australians leading the world when it comes to working part-time from the office and the remainder elsewhere.
In fact, according to a study from Adaptavist, 34 per cent of Australian workers are doing just that, a number exceeding the rates in places like the US, Canada and the UK. And Aussies are passionate about this new-found freedom around work, with Dr Sean Gallagher, director for the Centre for the New Workforce at Swinburn University, telling the Australian Financial Review two out of three workers are prepared to forego a pay rise just to have a flexible working arrangement.
But if workers are part time in the office, they’re going to be spending the rest of their time elsewhere, be it at home, a café, or a co-working space like Paddock. The question many employers will ask is how can they best support their hybrid workforce, particularly during those times when they’re not in the corporate office?
It’s also important to note co-working is also a great solution for businesses wanting to downsize to reduce their commitments, as well as improve flexibility and improve the quality of their workspace. Hybrid work means a company with a team of 12, for example, will only need a co-working environment with space for around six or eight people. And Paddock offers communal areas for full team catch-ups whenever they’re needed.
Kitchen and breakout space at Paddock Melbourne
So with flexibility in mind, perhaps the two most important aspects of supporting a hybrid workforce are intertwined: technology and communication.
Technology is important because remote and hybrid workers need access to the same tools and resources when they’re away from the office as they would when they’re onsite. Connectivity is also crucial, so an employer needs to ensure their staff have reliable internet connections at home, in a café or co-working space.
It’s technology that will allow open, transparent communication, whether it’s using Microsoft Teams, Zoom or Slack. And maintaining good communication is key to helping people feel like they’re all part of the same team and working towards the same goals. Set times for regular check-ins – don’t just assume people don’t need support or feedback because you can’t see their face in an office.
Those hybrid staffers will also need the same training they’d get in the office, which could mean thinking creatively about how it’s delivered and when. Again, technology is your friend here.
Before an employer and a staff member begin a hybrid work arrangement, expectations must be set, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This means setting out what hours they’re working, as well as their responsibilities and performance goals. By outlining these at the beginning, everyone knows what’s required and the potential for misunderstandings is lessened.
Finally, remember to celebrate success and foster a sense of community. When a team member has a win, let everyone know about it, or just take the time to thank them personally. Celebrating success helps people stay engaged and motivated, and also builds a community within the employee group – people who all feel like they’re working on something that’s bigger than just them.
Paddock Offices, with three locations, two in Sydney, Edgecliff and Parramatta as well as our new site in St Kilda Road, Melbourne, offer the perfect place for hybrid staff to get the job done. Costs like printing and internet access are included in the fee, and we offer flexible terms – book a desk for a day, a week or a month, confident that you won’t be hit with any out-of-pocket expenses.
One of the many creative meeting spaces at Paddock.
We also take pride in the friendliness and professionalism of our staff. We want to treat you as a friend and colleague, not just someone coming in to sit and do some work. And if you want a more permanent place to work, whether it’s on your own or as a team, we can accommodate that too.
Hybrid might be the new normal, but making it work requires work. Everyone must be on the same page, have access to the best technology and tools and, more than anything, open, transparent communication isn’t something that’s optional – it’s a must have.