Companies are moving to hybrid work environments.
All signs point towards hybrid work being here to stay. This is because employers finally realize that employees want the best and won’t compromise. According to the 2021 Work Trend IndexOver 70% of workers want to work remotely, while 65% want more face-to-face time with their coworkers. 66% of business leaders plan to redesign their offices to accommodate hybrid work environments.
A hybrid work model has its challenges. According to Tanya DaltonAuthor of The Joy of Not Being TherePeople are finding the hybrid model twice as stressful, because it continues to blur boundaries between work and home. We may end up working longer hours and doing more for the company than we did when we first started coming to work every day. Employees need to learn how to Set and maintain clear boundaries. These are five tips to help overcome overwhelm and exhaustion in a hybrid environment.
Establish a consistent schedule
You need to think of ways you can maximize your performance in a hybrid workplace. First, consider when you are most productive. You might find that you are more productive at night than in the morning. Next, determine what works best for you and follow it. Create routines for each day if you are splitting your time between work and home. If you want your hybrid work environment to succeed, it is crucial that you know which tasks are best done at home and which at the office.
Create healthy boundaries
If you work from home, it is unrealistic to assume that you will be working for eight hours straight. Take frequent breaks throughout the day. You can control your work hours at the office, but they don’t have to be the same as those at home. Your manager should establish a set time for your day, and talk with you about your weekend plans. You should clearly define what constitutes an urgent situation and what can wait until next business day. These agreements will increase productivity and help prevent you from burning yourself out.
Focus on the outcome
Many of us now work remotely so it’s time to stop thinking that work is measured by hours. Instead, place emphasis on the results. Transparency in how people use their time and flexibility about how work gets done is key. This will encourage team member participation based on contribution and not location.
Asynchronous communication is encouraged
We need to rethink the way we communicate with our teams in the new world of hybrid work. This means relying more on asynchronous communications. Asynchronous communication is not like synchronous communication such as Zoom, in-person meetings, or a phone conversation. It doesn’t occur in real-time and does not require immediate responses. This format allows employees to work together in a group setting and allows them to do deep work. Twist is an example of an Asynchronous Messaging Platform. You can also use Slack the same way. Asynchronous communication is better for socializing and one-on-one meetings, as well as more complex discussions. Asynchronous communication may still be required for urgent matters.
Invest in team building
Hybrid work models make team building even more important, as it is difficult to stop at another person’s desk. It is crucial to encourage employees to work together. According to Gartner researchTeams that collaborate in an intentional way are three times more likely than those who don’t. Donut Slack integration can be used to facilitate remote team lunches, peer learning, and virtual coffee meetups. Break-out rooms can be used to encourage conversation after a virtual meeting has ended. It is always a good idea to schedule team-building activities outside work.
It will be difficult to navigate the new world of hybrid work. You can thrive and not just survive if you have the right mindset and transparency.
