News Spotlight

AI in recruiting is gaining popularity. Employers, recruiters and job candidates are increasingly turning to AI to streamline the hiring process, from drafting a resume and cover letter to preparing for job interviews (Marketplace).

Employees resist the hot desking trend. More companies are giving workers their own space instead of promoting hot desking (Bloomberg).

Digital balance is the next work-life balance goal. More companies are encouraging their employees to achieve better digital balance, empowering them to disconnect after work hours (Fast Company).

Stat of the Week

61% of Americans think it is “a good thing” for companies to take up DEI programs, reports a new study.

DEI programs are beneficial for companies on multiple levels. They foster a work environment that attracts and retains a wider pool of talent, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences that drive innovation and problem-solving. This diversity of thought often leads to better decision-making and can help companies better understand and serve a diverse customer base, potentially expanding market reach. DEI initiatives also contribute to higher employee engagement and satisfaction, as workers feel valued and respected, regardless of their background. This can lead to increased productivity and reduced turnover.

Deep Dive Article

4 Ways to Improve Your Hybrid Work Strategy

Hybrid working has already become the most accepted approach to a more flexible work environment, dividing an employee’s time between the office and home. In a post-pandemic workplace, flexibility is at the center of talent management and prioritized as a top employee benefit. To prove this, 75% of the Fortune 100 operate on a hybrid work schedule and 62% of U.S. companies now allow some degree of remote work, up from 51% at the start of 2023.

In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, every organization must develop a comprehensive hybrid work strategy. A well-crafted hybrid work strategy enables organizations to attract and retain top talent by offering flexibility, which has become a key factor in job satisfaction and work-life balance. It also allows companies to optimize their real estate costs and reduce their carbon footprint by maintaining smaller physical offices. Furthermore, a hybrid model can lead to increased productivity by allowing employees to work in environments best suited to their tasks and personal preferences. It also promotes inclusivity by accommodating the diverse needs and circumstances of employees, including those with caregiving responsibilities or health concerns.

To thrive in the era of hybrid work, organizations need to harmonize four key elements: the physical layout of their offices, company policies, technological infrastructure, and methods for communication and feedback. These components must be carefully aligned to support both on-site and remote team members equally. By effectively balancing these factors, you can cultivate a workforce that remains engaged, productive, and innovative, regardless of their physical location.

To evaluate the effectiveness of your hybrid work strategy, you can check out Skedda’s new Hybrid Work Grader and see how well your company is currently doing. Today, we break down the four key areas of a hybrid work strategy that you need to focus on to create a thriving workplace.

1. Optimize your office space

Creating an attractive and functional office environment is crucial in today's hybrid work landscape. To achieve this, consider transforming your office building into a high-quality space that offers a diverse range of areas and amenities. This could include recreational spaces like game rooms, collaborative zones such as innovation hubs, quiet areas like libraries, and convenient facilities such as coffee shops, restaurants, and outdoor spaces. Research indicates that high-performing workplaces are twice as likely to be situated in high-quality buildings. These enhanced environments not only boost performance but also serve as a magnet for employees, enticing them to come to the office.

One effective strategy for optimizing office space is the creation of office neighborhoods. These are areas designed to cater to specific departments, job functions, project requirements, or equipment needs, ensuring that employees can always find the right space to perform their best work. These designs typically incorporate hot desking and activity-based workspaces, featuring facilities that directly support the work conducted in that area, such as pods and labs, along with a variety of meeting spaces.

To meet the evolving demands of hybrid work patterns, it's essential to align your office design with current needs. As organizations aim to reduce real estate costs and meet sustainability goals, optimizing space usage becomes critical. Utilizing space management software with analytics capabilities can help track space usage and inform decisions on how to best meet employee needs while maintaining productivity and achieving business objectives.

2. Implement a hybrid work policy

Empowering teams to create their own hybrid work schedules can significantly enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity. By allowing employees to determine when and why they come to the office, organizations can foster a sense of autonomy and purpose. While larger companies may need to provide some general guidelines, such as specifying a minimum number of office days per week or month for coordination purposes, it's beneficial to give teams substantial control over their schedules.

When planning in-office days, it's important to focus on activities that benefit most from face-to-face interaction, such as mentoring, creative brainstorming, and conflict resolution. However, it's crucial to maintain some flexibility in work schedules to accommodate individual, team, and business needs. Additionally, organizations should clearly communicate expectations, guidelines, and procedures for both remote and on-site work in their hybrid work policy. This includes defining core work hours, setting expectations for availability and response times, and outlining communication methods for various levels of urgency.

3. Provide reliable tech tools

In today's distributed work environment, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and productivity. That’s why providing reliable tech tools increases your Skedda Hybrid Work Grader score. Companies need to invest in robust, user-friendly technology to support hybrid work models. However, technology-related issues can significantly impact productivity in a distributed work environment. To address this, organizations should focus on upgrading their tech stack and providing comprehensive training for troubleshooting. It's also crucial to implement a balanced mix of synchronous and asynchronous tools to accommodate different work styles and time zones. Synchronous tools like video conferencing are best for immediate interactions, while asynchronous tools such as project management platforms and pre-recorded videos are ideal for non-urgent tasks.

Organizations should consider refitting conference rooms with appropriate technology to facilitate hybrid collaboration. This may include using conference room schedulers, interactive whiteboards that allow remote participation, and leveraging chat features during video calls to encourage inclusive participation. By thoughtfully implementing and utilizing these tech tools, organizations can ensure that both in-person and remote employees can contribute equally, regardless of their location.

4. Communicate and collect feedback

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful hybrid work strategy. Organizations should leverage various communication channels to ensure their messages reach all employees, regardless of their work location. These messages should be clear, concise, and aligned with both organizational goals and employee needs. However, communication should not be a one-way street. It's crucial to create an environment where employees feel comfortable providing feedback, asking questions, and sharing their experiences throughout the implementation process. This open dialogue helps organizations refine their strategies and address any challenges that arise.

Regular feedback collection from all stakeholders is essential for the continuous improvement of a hybrid work model. Waiting until exit interviews to gather feedback is often too late to make meaningful changes. Instead, organizations should focus on measuring key metrics that matter, such as the impact of the hybrid work strategy on productivity, talent acquisition and retention, and employee satisfaction. By sharing this data transparently and acting based on the feedback received, companies can build trust throughout their organization.

Utilizing various methods to gain insights into improving the hybrid work experience is crucial for adapting the strategy to evolving needs. This could include conducting employee Net Promoter Scores (NPS) to gauge overall satisfaction, using heat maps to understand office space utilization, and implementing pulse surveys to gather specific feedback on different aspects of the hybrid work model. By consistently gathering and acting on this data, organizations can ensure their hybrid work strategy remains effective and responsive to employee needs.

What’s your Hybrid Work Score?

Now that you understand what it takes to have an effective hybrid work strategy, stop what you’re doing and check out Skedda’s Hybrid Work Grader. After using the assessment, the results will provide you with insights into your current hybrid work approach and highlight areas for potential improvement. By examining these findings, you can identify specific steps to enhance your hybrid work strategy, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of your organization and employees in today's dynamic work environment.

Thanks for reading — be sure to join the conversation on LinkedIn and let me know your thoughts on this topic!

Quote of the Week

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”
​Maya Angelou