Hybrid working is here to stay. Remote working forced upon us during Covid has morphed into a move towards hybrid working which is seen by many as preferential, but it has thrown up a number of unexpected challenges. There has been a reluctance for some workers to come back to the office, preferring to remain at home and therefore employers have to look at making the commute to work worthwhile which highlights the need to have a clear purpose for the office space, a reason to be present in the office and for there to be real meaning for being present.There is no point in doing work that could have easily been completed at home.

The office is the place for:

  • Collaboration
  • Team meetings
  • Personal conversations
  • Socialising
  • Getting to know your work mates.

There are implications for those who are not able to work remotely, who have to be physically present or can’t have a choice about where they work. There are some examples of where in the interest of fairness and consistency, a degree of flexibility has been introduced into work patterns to give control and access to more flexible work patterns.

How do businesses decide which strategy or framework will work for them as there is no one fits all solution? The key is to go back to the purpose of your business and the values that underpin the way that you do business and ensure that these are represented front and centre in the decisions that you reach. Involvement with employees through consultation, generating ideas and listening to their suggestions will offer a rich source of ideas and considerations. Training managers to manage effectively to create positive work environments and deliver business productivity, avoiding the productivity paradox in which people fill up diaries and demonstrate presentism rather than productivity.

These are early days for hybrid working and we are still in the learning phase. There is much to consider and in some cases no easy answers, but there are some precedents out there and if you don’t embrace the growing trends towards hybrid working you may lose out on attracting and retaining talent, contribute towards an unproductive work environment and prevent inclusion and diversity.