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The flexible workplace represents both the present and the future.
It’s become quite popular among American workers, who (as you know by now) became familiar with the model of hybrid work in 2020 and into 2021.
Research has shown that people expect to return to a work environment that’s better than it was before. In fact, it’s likely that employee recruitment and retention will correlate to how well organizations implement their hybrid work strategies.
As of the third quarter 2021, McKinsey research estimates that 90% of large U.S. companies are embracing hybrid work. That’s a significant number.
The next question is an important one for employers: how do they support their teams in this new environment?
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When most of us were suddenly working from home in 2020, the barrier between work and home came crashing down. Work, a few weeks earlier, was largely something we left at the office and forgot about during the drive home.
Conversely, the home was a work-free zone where we spent time with our families, saw friends, watched TV...you catch our drift. Time management in terms of home and work were two separate things, and in the blink of an eye, work-life balance became more about work-life-home balance than anything else.
Now that this situation is semi-permanent, communication can make a huge difference. Engaging with your employees is crucial, to get a sense of how they’re feeling, what they’re enjoying and not enjoying, and soliciting feedback as to how you can help.
Why is this important now, more than ever? Because employees are leaving companies that they don’t feel support them; the majority of people surveyed in the McKinsey study said they wouldn’t return to a job that didn’t offer flexibility.
But if you’re offering flexibility, that’s only the beginning. Regularly checking in is important. Looking for opportunities to give everyone (whether working at home or in the office) the ability to participate will help your employees feel more balanced, especially on days when home is both home and office.
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One of the things people miss (or missed) most about working in the office regularly is...well, the people.
Camaraderie is a big part of office culture, and when working in a hybrid environment, it can be a challenge.
In their own work-life study, Microsoft found that most employees missed the social aspect of the office, which led to them finding new ways to find “compromise between individual work styles and team needs.” This is an important point when evaluating how your company can support employees and encourage a healthy balance in a hybrid setting.
Are there certain hours you’d like to set for meetings? Write those down. Do specific days make sense to have an in-person meeting, brainstorm or just get together and connect? It’s worth communicating and agreeing in advance, so that those barriers between work and home don’t feel so blurred.
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We’ve been at the office furniture game for a long time, so we’re pretty confident in saying that it plays a big role in helping your employees be more balanced, productive and happy in this new hybrid working world.
We know that, according to recent studies, most employees prefer a hybrid work arrangement. But what’s key to remember is that your teams need the same dynamic, quality work setup at home that they were used to at the office.
And if they have an inspiring, comfortable space at home (and enjoy working there), you should try to implement some of those elements in the workplace now.
Sit-to-stand workstations, flexible spaces that can be used for gathering or individual work and even lounge-style seating are excellent choices.
“Many people started this pandemic sitting at their kitchen table and are now more conscious of the need for ergonomic products,” said Jim Foster, General Manager of Merchandising and National Accounts for The HON Company.
“They may not have previously connected the reason they were able to work at the office for eight hours a day without backache, but now are in pain after a few hours at home due to an uncomfortable setup. I think this will translate back into the office as employees insist on their well-being in the workplace—as well as a better home solution, too.”
In a recent HON blog, we outlined a few of our favorite furniture selections for the hybrid workforce. You can also browse our smart, affordable WFH solutions here.
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This can take on many forms and will almost certainly evolve as workers’ needs do. To start, the office should include more collaborative space, quiet space and unassigned seating to provide employees the experience they want.
The challenge for employers is that we really don’t know what the office is going to look like in one year, three years or even five years. Here’s our rule of thumb: whatever workplace design strategy you employ should be flexible and able to adapt to an ever-changing workplace.
Ready to better support your hybrid workers? We’re ready to help. Visit hon.com to connect with our team and start making a plan.
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