Hybrid workforces are becoming more common in the post-COVID world. Businesses are adjusting their workspaces to cater to remote workers and in-person staff. This change can be challenging to navigate. Here are some tips to help you manage and hire a hybrid workforce in an effective manner.
Be Clear About Managing Expectations
There is nothing that will set your team up for failure faster than not being clear about your expectations. When you are clear about what you expect from your employees there is less room for misunderstanding. You’ll be able to reach your goals and meet deadlines with ease. It will also help you manage your hybrid team because every person on the staff will know exactly what you are looking for from them.
Set Hybrid Work Policies
It goes without saying that if you are going to have a hybrid workforce, you need to have hybrid work policies. Be sure you have policies that address both remote and in-person workers. If there are policies that only address one set of employees or the other, it will create a feeling of two separate workforces. You want everyone to be part of a cohesive team, so your policies need to reflect that.
Change How You Measure Performance
Measuring performance with a hybrid workforce can be a challenge. You need to find ways to track projects and measure progress. For many companies, this comes in the form of virtual project management systems. However, you should be measuring success and performance by what gets accomplished by the team and not necessarily how long it takes. So, tracking hours should become less important when managing a hybrid team. Instead, focus on the metrics you are meeting.
Organize Get-Togethers
Another great thing you can do to help better manage your hybrid workforce is plan get-togethers. This can help your remote staff and in-person employees bond. It will also help your staff working from home feel closer to what’s going on in the office. Try to set something up quarterly, or even monthly, for your staff to get together and get to know more about each other.
Include Remote Staff
Outside of get-togethers, you need to make a concentrated effort to include remote staff in the happenings of the office. Remote workers will start to feel left out if they aren’t at least notified of company events or what’s going on at the job site. This is bad for morale and, again, it can create the feeling of two separate teams, which you don’t want.
Emphasize Employee Well-Being
Last but certainly not least, you need to emphasize your employees’ well-being. Whether they work from home or come into the office every day, you should let your staff know you care about their health and overall wellness. Encourage them to take time off for themselves and offer flexibility in their schedules to help them take care of personal tasks. Let them know you support a healthy work-life balance.
Staffing agencies like the Staffing Resource Group can help you with managing and hiring a hybrid workforce. Our team can assist you with everything from recruiting to vetting to onboarding. Contact us to learn more about our services.
