Hybrid working is here to stay as an increasingly permanent fixture, not a short-term fad, but many organizations are struggling to make the new model a success. A new report by Academy looks at the differences between in-person and virtual presence in the workplace, and the need to create meeting equality irrespective of where employees are located, utilizing the right tools and technologies. 

• Balancing always-on culture against employee overwork: Organizations must clearly outline expectations around etiquette in a world where time and place is becoming increasingly blurred
• Redrawing the rules of informal and formal collaboration for a hybrid workforce: Organizations must know their workforce to understand behaviors and preferences
• Weighing up the benefits of personalized versus standardized approaches to hybrid working: Organizations should balance being prescriptive, and allowing employees choice and personalization on how they work and collaborate
• Moving physical comfort for people to psychological comfort: Hybrid work environments will need the right technology investment to extend employees sense of purpose and belonging outside the office
• Creating workplaces that are diverse and inclusive: Equality of experience will be at the heart of inclusive organizations that allow everyone to feel involved regardless of their location and individual characteristics

Poly is working with the research team at WORKTECH Academy on a rolling program to create new thinking, define the main challenges and explore emerging opportunities around hybrid working. The report identifies key themes that will be addressed in subsequent research and analysis.

Jeremy Myerson, Director at WORKTECH Academy, says, “For organizations to seize the opportunities created by hybrid working, first they have to understand the complex contours of the model and recognize some inherent dichotomies. Our first report with Poly sets out some of the key debates around hybrid working and an agenda for employees to equip themselves to face a flexible future with confidence.”

John Goodwin, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Poly, comments, “Hybrid working is here to stay, but there are significant hurdles to overcome before organizations can call it a success. By identifying the 12 considerations of hybrid working, Poly is outlining some of the key themes and challenges organizations will face in the future as they start to implement hybrid working models. Our data found that, within the organizations we surveyed, 48 per cent have already adopted a hybrid approach. The same survey found that 37 per cent of decision makers said they are prepared for hybrid working in the short-term, but they haven’t thought about their long-term plans. Key to this will be understanding how to make the most of your spaces, how best your people work, and where to best invest your money in technologies that will enable a seamless hybrid experience. Identifying the challenges and opportunities in hybrid working now, will pave the way for organizations to plot successful hybrid working strategies.”

The Journey to Hybrid Working: Twelve Considerations report highlights the latest research and workplace surveys in the field, including Poly’s own study of more than 2,500 decision makers from firms with over 100 employees, and is available to download here.