What does a good hybrid working solution look like?
If you ask 10 different people, there’s a good chance you’ll get 10 different answers. We all have our own view on what ratio of remote to office work is best.
A poll by SurveyMonkey & Zoom highlights this wide variety among workers on their preferred post-pandemic working arrangements.
Of those employees who are already working remotely:
đ 33% prefer a hybrid model working mainly from the office
đ 32% prefer a hybrid model working mainly from home
đ 20% would like to work fully from the office
đ 15% would like to work fully from home
But the poll also found other factors at play. For example:
đ˘ Younger workers are more likely to prefer office work
đ Technology workers are more likely to prefer working from home
And other variables can affect how people feel too. The poll found preferences could change depending on a respondentâs:
âĄď¸ Race/Ethnicity
âĄď¸ Gender
âĄď¸ Education level
âĄď¸ Income
âĄď¸ Age
âĄď¸ Industry
That means itâs unlikely any organization will land on a hybrid working solution that works for everyone.
But that makes your role even more important.
According to Microsoftâs 2021 Work Trend Index, 41% of employees are considering leaving their current employer. 46% are thinking about a major pivot or career transition.
If the new rhythm doesnât work for a member of your team, itâs now more likely to nudge them towards the exit door.
Fly Clouds GIF by @levberry.
But you can make a big difference to your teamâs sense of belonging by focusing on what equity and fairness look like in a hybrid workplace.
Here are three simple steps you can take to begin building equity and fairness into your new working arrangement.
Deloitteâs 2021 âReturn to Workplacesâ survey found that 32% of employers say their biggest concern about their future workplace makeup is âMaintaining cultureâ. Only 13% say âMaintaining fairnessâ.
đ¤ Kevin Casey of The Enterpriserâs Project says this suggests thereâs a greater interest in organizational needs rather than individual ones.
But itâs important to make sure your team feels their individual needs are recognized too.
âď¸ Ask them in 1:1s how the new working arrangement affects them personally
âď¸ Show empathy if the new arrangement affects someone individually
âď¸ Share your own personal feelings about the arrangement, both positive and negative
An individual focus reminds everyone that their experiences and views matter.
Sociologist Tracy Brower says itâs important to reduce the impression that some employees have things that others havenât based on where theyâre working.
For example, if youâre in the office and have exciting news, try not to say it out loud to in-person colleagues. Share it first on a digital platform everyone can access.
Ask yourself how you can adjust your actions to make sure that as few people as possible miss out because of where theyâre working.
Even if you have little input into your organizationâs arrangement, make sure your team is able to talk to you, offer feedback and ask questions about the situation. If you sidestep these interactions, your colleagues could feel their views arenât being heard.
Feeling heard is essential to build trust between you and your team.
đĄ Pro tip: Check that youâre accessible to everyone equally, both those working remotely and those in person.
đŞ An action to take away
When you next have a 1:1 session with your colleagues, ask them how they feel personally about the working arrangement. If you feel comfortable, share your candid reflections too.
