5 tips to set your employees up for success in a hybrid working environment

Hybrid working is here to stay – here's how you can enable it in your workplace.

Hybrid working has become the norm in many workplaces – and it looks set to stay that way.

Accordingly, the onus is on employers to ensure that their employees have all the tools they need for success in this new working environment.

Let's take a look at some of the key ways you can set up your employees for hybrid working.

1. Ensure adequate internet access among all staff

There are a lot of factors that go into creating a successful hybrid workforce.

But if we had to name one particular factor above all others – well, we'd have to go with the internet.

The average modern workplace is so tech-heavy that the internet is essential even to get the most straightforward tasks done.

So it makes sense that it should be at the top of your concerns for overseeing a hybrid workforce.

After all, businesses need to have business-grade internet.

They have to be fast, run without interruption and provide staff with a continuous connection. It should also be scalable and able to grow as your business expands.

Some easy examples to point to are the types of plans supported by business nbn.

This is because it's a network designed for speedy download and upload, and backed with a high-performance fibre access network.

It's an enabling force for businesses, allowing employees to stay connected.

Now, this is straightforward enough for the office, but what about remote workers?

Well, depending on the specific circumstances, some businesses are subsidising or covering costs of internet plans for remote employees.

It's a perk that can even help make your business more attractive to potential hires, too.

There are a plethora of plans out there – so make sure you select one that suits the specific needs of your business.

2. Invest in facility management and booking systems

Remote work… hot desking… full-time in-office staff… working across these categories of employees is enough to make anyone's mind boggle.

Investing in facility management and booking systems can make the whole process much simpler.

The specifics will look different for every company – but ultimately, they're able to provide more structure on a day-to-day basis.

A booking system gives staff a clear picture of considerations like desk availability and in-office resourcing.

Additionally, management will be able to look at staff patterns and assign resourcing accordingly.

3. Create easily accessible networks

Even before the advent of hybrid working, there had been an increased push for cloud-based software and networks within businesses.

But the last couple of years have really seen them come into their own.

This has a flow-on effect for hybrid roles, too.

There’s absolutely no need for employees to have to fiddle around with convoluted logins and procedures to access their work, just because they’re off-site.

So when you’re looking at the software you use day-to-day, remote accessibility should be a key priority.

Of course, you need to have effective internet in place to support these initiatives.

In many cases, broadband plans supported by business nbn can help provide the continuous connection required.

Just make sure to look at a range of plans to find the one that’s right for your needs.

4. Make employee communication a priority

When you've got a team that's working in a hybrid environment, it can be very easy for people to feel disconnected or out of the loop.

Now, this doesn't mean the calendar should be bogged down with endless meetings, either.

Rather, the emphasis should be on clear, regular communication both within and without the team.

This should be facilitated with tools like email, chat programs and scheduled team video calls.

Meetings can play a role too, but they should always be clearly outlined beforehand.

No agenda beforehand = a meeting no-one should be obliged to attend.

5. Outline expectations from both management and employee perspectives

Communication isn't just about keeping people connected, either. It's also about conveying expectations. Accountability is crucial.

Managers need to clearly communicate their expectations about standards of work – and likewise, employees need to have access to support on a regular basis.

So whether you're transitioning to hybrid work or have been undertaking it for some time, it's always good to make sure expectations on both sides have been clearly outlined.

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