5 Challenges of a Hybrid Workplace & How to Solve Them

As the pandemic takes a turn for the endemic, one thing stands clear - hybrid is the future of work.

07:29 28 March 2022

As the pandemic takes a turn for the endemic, one thing stands clear - hybrid is the future of work. A hybrid workplace has been the norm for many organizations. And there are good reasons for both employees and employers to be excited about the same. 

 

This mix of on-site and remote work has an array of benefits. For employees, it is flexible. For employers, reduced cost and better workplace strategy take the crown. 

 

However, there are good reasons to feel trepidation as well. Most experts are concerned about the challenges of the hybrid work model. Many might say that the hybrid setting is still in its infancy. 

 

Though much is still to come, let us explore the obvious challenges posed by this work model and how to address those. 

 

Misalignment between the employees

The hybrid workplace hinges on flexibility; however, it also depends on systematic adoption. If implemented haphazardly, there might be a significant misalignment between on-site and remote employees. 

 

Remote employees may often feel left out and their work unnoticed compared to their office counterparts. On the other hand, on-site employees may feel like they lack autonomy. 

 

A hybrid workplace operates on autonomy and collaboration; therefore, you need to be careful about dealing with your employees. You need to ensure that everyone feels included. 

 

So, what is the solution here? Set specific days for on-site and remote employees to come to the office. This will allow them to collaborate better. For regular on-site employees, you will enable them to choose their shift timings if required. 

 

This is a sure way to avoid clashes between the employees and promote a healthy hybrid working. 

 

Disparity during meetings

Now, this may seem like an extension to the previous point; however, meetings can become the place of disparity in a hybrid workplace. 

 

This has a lot to do with the employee experience. Remote workers may feel that on-site employees have the edge over them. This may be due to their physical presence. 

 

Several remote employees have complained that they have missed essential meetings due to unstable internet connections or other technical challenges. 

 

Now, we know that meetings are essential in a hybrid work setting. 

 

So, the solution to this is to create an equivalent employee experience. Ensure that you have technological support for meetings. For instance, good internet connection for remote workers. 

 

You can install a meeting room booking system to remove this challenge with ease. 

 

Issues with office space

This may not seem like an issue at first glance. However, office space can become a considerable challenge in the long run. 

 

Depending on the hybrid work model you adopt, you may rely on the office space you need. 

 

For instance, if you have only 60% of your employees coming to the office, you may not need a lot of desks. You may decide to let go of these. But say there is an important meeting, and all your employees are in the office. How will you accommodate them? 

 

In such a situation, you will face a shortage of space. 

 

Nevertheless, there is a solution to this problem. You can turn your unused desks into collaboration spaces. Employees nowadays prefer to be mobile. Rather than letting them sit in assigned desks, allow them to use such collaboration spaces. 

 

You can also rent smaller co-working spaces. Rather than relying on ample central office space, you can opt for smaller distributed offices. 

 

Managing employee costs

Handling employee costs in a hybrid workplace is a significant challenge that organizations have pointed out. It is not as straightforward as it used to be. 

 

For instance, you are reimbursing on-site employees for travel expenses. Now, you would not do the same for remote employees. This may lead to paying disparity. 

 

So, what do you do in such a situation? Well, you need to recognize the costs of on-site and remote employees. If on-site peeps spend money commuting, remote workers invest in a home office setup. 

 

You can reimburse them for the same. Or maybe you can pay off their internet connection. 

 

State the financial benefits for both on-site and remote employees. This will allow you to manage employee costs better. An added advantage - you can remove any feeling of disparity. 

 

Providing feedback

With the working population scattered across different locations, you may probably have difficulty providing feedback. 

 

When working face-to-face, it is easier to provide tips on improving. Remote employees may feel that they are being left out of receiving constructive feedback. This can impact their morale. 

 

To avoid such a circumstance, you need to conduct regular feedback sessions with on-site and remote employees. It would be best if you highlighted their work to them. And be honest with them. 

 

By giving feedback, you can show your employees that you care about them and their contribution to the company. 

 

Conclusion

There is no doubt that a hybrid work model comes with its own sets of challenges. However, if you address them now, the chances of developing a reliable workplace increase. 

If you are looking to implement a hybrid workplace, try WorkInSync today. It comes with various features like desk booking, meeting room management, employee scheduling, and much more. 

 

You can book a demo today and see how the features can help your company.