While the term “Future of Work” may still have many uncertainties attached to it, one thing is clear – hybrid working arrangements are here to stay, at least in the near term. Hybrid working is a part-remote, part-office model that is supposed to offer the best deal for both employers and employees. But as the novelty of this type of working wears off, employees worldwide are discovering that it is making them tired and stressed. 

In a recent study conducted by Tinypulse, an employee engagement platform, more than 80% of leaders revealed that a hybrid setup was, in fact, very exhausting for employees. Workers are spending a majority of their workweek shuttling between home and the office, and this arrangement might be tiring them out to the point of burnout. So what can employers do to help workers and create a hybrid working policy that actually works?

Communicate, communicate and communicate

Employers may have announced their ‘back-to-work’ plan, but workers say too few have shared detailed guidelines about approaches, policies, and expectations. This lack of open and frequent communication is leaving employees stressed and anxious. Prioritise open communication at every step – how you are reimagining the office, what work schedules will look like, what has changed, what hasn’t etc. It is also equally important to communicate areas you are uncertain of, or things that are yet to be decided. Communication, especially from higher-level managers, can boost productivity and increase clarity about your hybrid arrangements. Another great approach to facilitate two-way communication is to leave the last 5 minutes of a meeting or huddle agenda-free. This way, employees can put forward their concerns and feel more included. 

Take care of your employees

Recognising your employees’ physical safety is one of the most significant ways you can help them less stressed at work. Here are a few COVID-19 safety practices that your business must follow :

• Modifying seating arrangements to allow physical distancing. This can be done via protective screens or barriers, spacing out chairs etc.
• Using proper signage like handwashing techniques, one-way signage, and social distancing signage to reinforce safety habits among employees
• Improving the ventilation and air quality of closed spaces by using effective air purifiers
• Facilitating frequent temperature checks for all employees, vendors and clients entering the office premises.  

Encourage interpersonal relationships

Did you know that a poll of over 1 million workers found that working under bad managers was the number one reason employees quit their jobs? This only goes to show that the well-known adage of employees working for a boss and not a company is probably true. The relationship with an employee’s line manager directly affects productivity, stress, and employee satisfaction. Creating a better team environment with tools like one-to-ones, feedback systems, surveys and team building activities can build a sense of trust and enhance interpersonal relationships between the manager and the team. 

Are you welcoming your team back into the office soon? It’s time to reimagine your office space. With over 40 years of experience in office supplies, our experts will help define your office needs, plan your space efficiently, and create a design that meets your requirements and embodies your brand. Get in touch with us here!