Hybrid work environments were initially created as a necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they allowed people to work together remotely, drastically lowering the chance of spreading the virus. To quickly respond to the rapidly evolving situation, companies and businesses around the world worked to develop innovative technologies and strategies to optimise hybrid work environments. Now, as productivity remained high and work-life balance improved, it looks like they are here to stay.
Many of the changes induced to sustain work during the pandemic have shown to have value beyond the days of isolation, such as online communication technology and cloud collaboration. Having a meeting over Zoom or working on a project using Teams software has become commonplace in the modern work environment. For hybrid employees, below we’ll explore how to properly optimise your work setup to help you sustain this dynamic long-term.
Emphasise Your Digital Profile
One element of working from home is having less presence among your team. And while this doesn't automatically mean communication needs to be reduced, you and your team need to be more proactive about staying in contact throughout the workday. You can do this by emphasising your digital profile and using a photo resizer to resize your profile photo to maintain a personal experience when working remotely. You can also add a bio on your Slack, Teams or other communications platform profile, and change your status regularly.
This will give you more presence online, making you easier to locate among platforms, showing that you’re open to chats and helping new employees or clients put a face to the name when you’re working remotely.
Replicate In-Office Communication
Hybrid work environments bring many efficiency improvements, but as we learnt from the lockdown, it also presents challenges to communication in this ‘new normal’ way of working. Working in an office environment, we take for granted the free and open communication that can take place as everyone is in the same place for a reliable amount of time. When we’re operating in remote work environments, we need to schedule meetings to communicate. Email and direct messages have become replacements, but they don’t always have the same nuance as face-to-face communication.
In a hybrid working environment, most communication takes place digitally. Digital communication through messages lacks tone, so it’s easy to misunderstand what others mean. This means it’s super important to be as clear and concise when typing messages to your teammates. However, you can consider replicating the in-office environment by sending voice messages or jumping on a quick call or video chat.
Invest in Updated Tech and Top-Tier Internet
You should also make sure you have a reliable internet connection so you don't get disrupted throughout your workday. If you regularly have issues with your Wi-Fi, connect your device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable to get the most reliable connection. You can also familiarise yourself with how to set up your mobile phone as an internet hotspot for a backup connection.
Finally, make sure all your communication software is up to date and all your accessories, such as a microphone and camera, are working properly. Downloading software and purchasing hardware updates regularly or when required will ensure that your communication is optimised every day.
Ergonomic Equipment
When cultivating a hybrid work environment that works well for you, ergonomics needs to be a priority for businesses and employees alike. Your ability to do your role effectively is directly impacted by how your body physically handles it. For decades it was thought that ergonomics was only required for more laborious jobs; in recent years this has been proven incorrect.
Sedentary lifestyle illnesses such as heart disease and obesity are more common in individuals who have an office job (ones that often work remotely). This highlights the need for proper ergonomics when optimising your hybrid work environment, as it is the only effective prevention of sedentary lifestyle conditions.
Creating a dedicated working space is a great start for a setting that promotes physical and mental well-being, as it allows you to have maximum control over the working environment to get the best results. Consider using an adjustable standing desk, which will allow you to sit normally or stand and work, ensuring you’re not in one position too long and straining your body. A high-quality ergonomic chair with adjustable height and lumbar support will also make it a lot easier to maintain good posture.
If you are not able to have a permanently dedicated workspace, incorporating some ergonomic principles into your workspace will still make a huge difference. Sitting at a table with an ergonomic chair rather than on a couch or in bed will make it a lot easier to work for an extended period. You should also consider a comfortable mouse and keyboard if you are using a laptop, as it will prevent repetitive strain injury in your wrists.
Final Thoughts
Hybrid working environments were once a temporary measure to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing businesses to operate without spreading the virus. Now, they are a common workplace dynamic as they’ve proven to optimise productivity and employee satisfaction.
Designing an ergonomically appropriate space that will allow you to work sustainably is key to optimising your hybrid working strategies. Maintaining reliable digital communication channels and internet connections is also fundamental to a healthy hybrid work style. Simply put, getting comfortable with digital communications is another piece of the hybrid work puzzle.
Not only is remote work here to stay, but it’s becoming the expected environment for many industries. However, it takes action and proactivity to make remote working effective, so follow these tips to help you stay healthy and connected when you’re working in a different physical space from your team.
