Companies have begun planning how to approach operations as the pandemic rages on. Many have allowed employees to work remotely for the foreseeable future, while others have slowly started to bring workers back into the office.
In order to meet the constantly evolving needs of today’s workforce, companies should look into a hybrid work arrangement. This provides the benefits of both remote and in-office working with the appropriate planning and communication.
Axel Hefer, CEO of travel company Trivago, says that remote working has been highly effective for the company, but that something has been missing. That is why the firm will be experimenting with a hybrid model.
“We are now benefiting from the human capital we have built up over the years by spending a lot of time together. That cannot continue forever,” said Hefer. “We will collect feedback and see what has worked well and what hasn’t and then do something slightly different. It could take years to find the right balance that works to get the best of both worlds.”
To create this perfect balance, business leaders need to communicate with their employees and receive feedback on what works best. For instance, ask where employees want to work, what they want their schedules to look like and plan your operational strategy from there.
Managers also need to be clear about their goals and expectations for their workers, while employees should be transparent about how much they are working and their availability. Overall, communication is key.
