How to deal with hybrid working conditions?

All crises come with the opportunity to completely reimagine how we do things. Especially now that our working patterns and places look significantly different from pre-pandemic times. However, this is not necessarily bad.

After more than a year since many companies have had to adapt to more flexible working structures, “hybrid” working patterns have arised. This is a structure that mixes working remotely and working in-office. This approach allows employees to have the autonomy and flexibility of working from home but also the chance to collaborate and have interaction with fellow workers.

Hybrid work allows for companies to have a good mix between autonomy, convenience, and productivity. You’ll be able to spend less time on activities like commuting and working in a loud and distracting office environment. Employees are able to use this time towards higher-value activities such as completing tasks at home more efficiently in controlled environments and collaborating with co-workers. However, hybrid work also has some drawbacks such as technological issues and not being able to build deeper connections with your team or co-workers. Nevertheless, there would be less pressure of having to socialise with co-workers all the time, during work or off work.

Either way, many companies are already shifting and adapting towards hybrid work, so employees have no choice but to adapt with the changes. Many people are returning to work after long periods of lockdown and restrictions, and the standard of their office working space may not be on par with the set up they have at home.

To make the transition less shocking, recreating aspects of your working environment at home in the office can help. For example, the lighting and arrangement of the items on the desk. Planning ahead can also help this process, deciding which activities are better suited for which environment can increase how efficiently you work.

Individuals desire work-life balance, and this way of working has proved to make people be more productive and happy. It is increasingly becoming more about trusting employees to work productively under new circumstances instead of control and obedience.