Workplaces have permanently changed and organizations must prepare for the future of remote and hybrid work to stay competitive. The COVID-19 pandemic sped up technological advances in remote work, and even as companies try to return to previous working structures through return-to-office mandates, the technologies and cultural changes of remote and hybrid work aren’t going anywhere. Businesses must be proactive to adopt the right formula for work to maintain and improve employee productivity, increase engagement and attract and retain the best talent.
There’s no single right answer for determining how your organization should handle remote work, hybrid situations or a fully in-office setup. For example, research shows:
- Remote workers are up to 40% more productive than in-office workers
- And make 40% fewer mistakes than their in-office counterparts.
- Employees who work from home also save about 72 minutes each day by not commuting.
But in-office work gives employees face-to-face interaction, which promotes better collaboration and builds trust. They also have better access to office resources, including colleagues.
Employees themselves are also split on which setup they prefer. A recent Gallup study showed:
- 26% of workers preferred a fully remote setup
- 19% would prefer to be on-site full-time
- 55% would prefer to work in a hybrid workplace.
There are also many different types of hybrid work models, and deciding which one is right for your workforce requires research and data-informed decisions. Find key strategies to ensure your business will thrive in the future of remote and hybrid work in this article.
The future of remote and hybrid work: 7 ways to prepare
Every workplace will have different needs based on your industry, employee makeup, regional considerations, size and access to technology. These seven tips will help any organization determine the best remote or hybrid work arrangement to encourage productivity, increase cost-savings and promote work-life balance for employees.
1. Use workforce analytics to make data-driven decisions
Using workforce analytics is a game changer for understanding employee performance, preferences and productivity levels. Organizations make more informed decisions to enhance operational efficiency by analyzing data related to remote work patterns and workflows rather than guessing.
Analytics tools allow leaders to pinpoint areas that need improvement or attention, including:
- Optimizing scheduling and workloads through employee productivity data
- Improving morale and company culture through employee engagement levels
- Predict future trends and challenges through historical data and predictive analytics
- Provide better training and development opportunities by correlating performance data with performance reviews and employee feedback surveys
- Allocate resources more efficiently through location-based data
Organizations gain a more holistic view of the organization’s health by integrating workforce analytics with other business intelligence tools.
2. Establish clear hybrid and remote work policies
Your company must establish clear policies to navigate the complexities of hybrid and remote work arrangements. These policies should outline expectations, responsibilities and guidelines for employee engagement and performance. Be as clear as possible to avoid misunderstandings and create a cohesive remote work culture.
Communicating these policies effectively helps employees understand their roles in a hybrid environment. The policies should cover key elements, including:
- Communication protocols
- Work hours
- Performance evaluations
- Flexibility for individuals
It’s a good idea to regularly review and update your policies to ensure they’re relevant and effective as conditions change. Incorporate feedback from employees to provide valuable insights into their experiences and challenges. This will allow for a more tailored approach to policy-making while empowering employees and making them feel valued and heard within the organization.
Training sessions on policies are key to ensuring employees understand what’s expected. Organize workshops or webinars to discuss the nuances of hybrid work, including best practices for time management and maintaining work-life balance. This fosters a more productive and engaged workforce with higher levels of job satisfaction and retention.
3. Strengthen cybersecurity and data protection
As more employees work remotely, robust cybersecurity becomes increasingly important. Companies must prioritize securing sensitive information and ensuring data protection across all platforms remote workers use. Studies show remote work increases cyberattacks by 238%, often due to employees using their own equipment for work or their work devices for personal use or allowing non-employees to use their devices.
Comprehensive cybersecurity protocols protect your employees, your company and your customers. These include:
- Using VPNs
- Enacting firewalls on company devices
- Multi-factor authentication
- Regular training for employees on cybersecurity threats
- Regular audits and updates on security measures
- Advanced threat-detection systems using AI to identify possible breaches
- Establishing clear reporting protocols for employees to report suspicious activity such as phishing
- Pushing regular updates to employee devices, including hardware and software
Fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and automation protects your organization’s assets and builds trust among employees. Employees who feel secure in their work environment are more likely to be productive and engaged. Proactive cybersecurity also prevents security breaches that may lead to disastrous results for customers.
4. Implement AI and automation for smarter workflows
Incorporating AI and automation in work processes significantly enhances productivity and efficiency in remote and hybrid work environments. Automating repetitive tasks allows employees to focus on more strategic initiatives that require critical thinking and creativity.
AI tools can assist in better resource management, helping teams prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. This means smoother workflows and reduced project timelines, providing a competitive edge in fast-paced industries.
Training employees on the effective use of these technologies ensures that they are well-equipped to leverage these tools to enhance their work quality, resulting in improved outcomes for the organization as a whole.
5. Train managers to lead distributed teams effectively
Managers play a pivotal role in the success of remote and hybrid teams. Your organization should provide comprehensive training tailored to managing distributed teams, including communication strategies, performance management and how to use collaboration tools.
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful remote management. Managers should be equipped to provide regular feedback, foster team cohesion and ensure all team members feel included and valued, regardless of where they are working from.
Leadership development programs that address the unique challenges of remote management empower managers to lead effectively, enhancing team performance and morale.
6. Redesign the employee experience for hybrid work
Whether employees are hybrid or fully remote, your company will have to reimagine the employee experience to cater to their work environments. This means creating engagement strategies that resonate with both remote and in-office employees. Also, find ways to incorporate feedback so employees can express their thoughts on workplace arrangements.
A digital-first approach ensures employees have access to the tools they need regardless of where they’re working from. Cloud-based software and tools with device-agnostic accessibility are a must for hybrid teams. Employees should be able to call into meetings with effective communication tools when they’re not in the office as well.
Hybrid workers also need ways to engage with their colleagues effectively. Team-building and company culture are important aspects of productivity. Some ways to build camaraderie and encourage collaboration in hybrid teams include:
- Virtual team-building activities such as online scavenger hunts, digital lunch and learn sessions or casual chat threads
- Flexible work policies, including allowing employees to choose when they go into the office or mandating how many days a week they should come in
- Well-being programs to support mental health including health benefits, paid time off or access to mental health resources
Focusing on an inclusive employee experience fosters a sense of belonging and contributes to higher productivity and creativity in teams.
7. Continuously adapt and optimize remote work strategies
Adapting to changes in the work environment is vital for ongoing success. Organizations must remain flexible and responsive, continually evaluating and refining remote work strategies based on employee feedback and performance metrics.
This can involve piloting new tools, soliciting regular feedback and being open to change when something isn’t working. Engagement surveys and pulse checks provide insights into employee sentiments so leaders can pivot quickly as needed.
By prioritizing adaptability, companies build resilient workforces that can navigate the future of remote and hybrid work with confidence and agility.
The biggest challenges of remote and hybrid work
While offering hybrid or remote work environments increases productivity, creativity and employee satisfaction, organizations face many common challenges in implementing them.
- Communication gaps – Employees who work from home may miss vital information from casual interactions in the office. Organizations must ensure teams have the technology, tools and policies in place to empower employees to communicate with each other, their managers and leadership.
- Lack of visibility – Not seeing each other at work is a double-edged sword for many workers. Managers who don’t see their team members may not trust that they’re working when they’re not on-site, while employees who aren’t in-office may not feel they can prove their value to the company effectively. Hybrid teams must address these issues proactively to ensure teams are productive and trust each other.
- Cybersecurity risks – IT teams have more control over fully in-office equipment and technology to keep cyber threats at bay, but remote and hybrid workforces have developed innovative solutions to keep data and devices safe.
- Maintaining company culture – Many companies rely on face-to-face interactions to ensure employees trust each other and work effectively together. Hybrid and remote workplaces must get creative to find ways to maintain or enhance company culture while responding effectively to employees’ desires.
- Right-sizing office spaces – As the largest expense on most companies’ ledgers, real estate decisions often take center stage in the hybrid or remote work discussion. Organizations need data to determine how much room they need for in-office employees to work, hold customer meetings or collaborate effectively.
The future of remote and hybrid work: what comes next?
While no one can say for certain what the future holds, we know remote work and hybrid work are likely to become more important in the coming years. Companies that leverage workforce analytics, flexible policies and employee well-being will set themselves up to succeed long term. Organizations that want to not only succeed but thrive must implement proactive strategies to prepare for the future of remote and hybrid work.
Discover how ActivTrak’s workforce management platform empowers organizations to create the best hybrid and remote policies for their companies and sets them up for future success. With our platform you can:
- Get actionable data on employee productivity from any location to set clear and functional policies for your teams.
- Find out which tools or technology enhance performance or cause distractions.
- Make data-based decisions on remote or hybrid work to set your team up for success.
Our award-winning workforce analytics cloud offers a comprehensive suite of tools to optimize productivity, engagement, and well-being across your teams. Join the 9,500+ customers who have elevated their work environments with our trusted solutions. Contact our sales team today to get started and unlock the future of work.
