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Home → HR Talks → Remote Working → The New Standard for Flexibility
During the lockdown brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, remote work emerged as the primary method to maintain operational continuity while preventing a complete shutdown. Even after restrictions were lifted, remote work has fiercely persisted. The percentage of individuals working from home has only marginally decreased, prompting the question:
What is the optimal work style? The answer lies in a combination of both approaches, hybrid work.
To illustrate a clearer understanding of hybrid work, we must first explore why individuals might prefer remote or office work. Remote work offers flexibility, which many employees find appealing. Reports indicate higher productivity levels when working from home due to fewer distractions and a more comfortable environment, leading to improved focus. Additionally, remote work often maintains a healthier work-life balance, allowing a more harmonious balance of professional and personal responsibilities.
In contrast, individuals who prefer office work often cite the clear distinction between work and personal life as beneficial. The social interaction deep rooted in office settings creates a sense of connection with colleagues, improving teamwork, communication and company culture.
Hybrid work combines the advantages of both remote and in-office work. It enables employees to reserve remote days for tasks that require a higher level of concentration, while designating office days for collaboration, communication, and cultural engagement. By aligning work location with activity type, organisations can sustain high productivity without sacrificing employee engagement, ensuring a balance between work-life integration and team cohesion.
Technology is the backbone of a successful hybrid workplace. A stable hybrid work environment requires cloud-based collaboration tools, secure access, and reliable connectivity to keep teams synchronised, irrespective of their location.
Furthermore, analytics and AI-driven tools can streamline workflows, automate routine tasks, and enable leaders to monitor performance without sacrificing flexibility. Combined, these technologies allow seamless collaboration, consistent productivity, and a cohesive work experience.
Maintaining a strong corporate culture in a hybrid working environment requires intentionality and consistency. Culture should be considered in every decision, from how meeting conduct to performance evaluations. Clearly defined values should be translated into specific behaviours. Leadership plays an important role in upholding these behaviours, providing feedback, mentorship, and creating a sense of unity.
Once a sense of unity is stablished and values are clearly communicated, it is important to create rituals that reinforce the culture. These rituals, when consistently practiced, help embed the corporate culture.
Hybrid work, when implemented with clear intent, offers the best of both worlds. By empowering individuals to work where they are most effective while preserving the organisation’s shared values, rituals, and leadership support, a strong corporate culture can be sustained across all locations.
The key is ongoing attention; refining practices, upholding inclusivity, and adapting to people and technology as they evolve.
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