5 steps to motivate employees increase use of the office in hybrid work
Are your employees becoming more distant in this new era of hybrid work? Do you miss the energy and camaraderie that used to fill the office? If so, you're not alone. In a hybrid work environment, finding ways to encourage and motivate employees to come into the office can be a challenge. However, there are strategies you can implement to boost office visits and foster a sense of connection among your team.
In this article, we will share five proven strategies for unlocking employee motivation in a hybrid work environment. From creating a welcoming office space to organizing team-building activities, these strategies will help you create an environment that employees look forward to visiting. We will explore the importance of regular communication, meaningful recognition, and flexibility to meet employees' varying needs.
Don't let distance and remote work hinder the sense of community and motivation within your team. By implementing these strategies, you can create an office environment that fosters collaboration, engagement, and employee satisfaction. Let's dive in and unlock the potential of your hybrid work environment.
Understanding the challenges of a hybrid work environment
The shift to a hybrid work environment brings both benefits and challenges. While employees enjoy the flexibility of working remotely, it can also lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Without the daily interactions and face-to-face communication that the office provides, employees may struggle to stay motivated and engaged.
One of the main challenges of a hybrid work environment is maintaining a sense of community and connection among team members. When employees are physically separated, it can be difficult to foster collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, the lack of in-person communication can result in miscommunication and misunderstandings. Many interviewed companies are also reporting decrease in measurable innovation indicators such as number of patent application when employees are predominantly remote.
To overcome these challenges and encourage office visits, it's essential to understand the unique needs and preferences of your employees. Some individuals may thrive in a remote work setting, while others may crave the social interaction and structure that the office provides. By finding a balance between remote work and office visits, you can create an environment that meets the needs of your team while maintaining productivity and engagement.
Strategy 1: Taking down barriers and uncertainties from office visits
One of the first steps in encouraging office visits is to address any barriers or uncertainties that may exist. Employees often have concerns about
Ease of commuting
Availability of resources such as desks in the office
It's crucial to provide clear and transparent communication regarding these factors. In many organisation’s hybrid working culture staying at home is often the default option and getting employee step outside of the door requires clear view both attractors - such as knowing key colleagues are at the office - and removing uncertainties related to the onsite workday experience like availability of parking or shared desks. Recently digital tools for hybrid work management have emerged to support employees with these decisions. One example is Hybrid workplace app by Steerpath that integrates with both Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace.
To alleviate commuting concerns, consider offering flexible work hours or transportation assistance. This can help employees feel more comfortable with the idea of coming into the office. When interviewing employees in companies with shared parking spaces, a common worry in the morning is that when employee arrives to the office all the spots are taken. In the worst scenario this uncertainty can shift persons intention of heading to the office into staying remote as that is the safe, the default option to take.
Furthermore, make sure that the office is equipped with the necessary resources for employees to perform their work effectively. This includes access to technology, comfortable workspaces, and any tools or equipment required for their specific roles. By removing barriers and uncertainties, you create an environment that is welcoming and conducive to productivity.
Strategy 2: Promoting collaboration and teamwork
Example of Digital tool to help promote collaboration and team work - Hybrid Workplace App from Steerpath
Collaboration and teamwork are vital components of a successful hybrid work environment. When employees feel connected and engaged with their colleagues, they are more likely to visit the office and actively participate in collaborative projects.
To promote collaboration, consider creating designated areas in the office for team meetings and brainstorming sessions. These spaces should be equipped with technology and resources that facilitate communication and idea sharing. Additionally, implement regular team-building activities that encourage employees to work together and build relationships.
In hybrid work ideally teams can benefit from both onsite and remote work - together. Efficient collaboration face to face opens up time for focus time remotely to get things done - for the whole team. Like workplace consultants from Agile Work put it nicely in this article, not all work is hybrid.
Still, in a hybrid work environment, virtual collaboration tools play a crucial role in fostering teamwork. Even though face to face time is typically best for open innivation it is not always possible or practical. So remember also to utilize video conferencing platforms, project management software, and instant messaging tools to facilitate communication and collaboration between remote and in-office employees. By promoting a culture of collaboration and providing the necessary tools, you can encourage employees to come into the office and actively engage with their team.
Strategy 3. Recognizing and sharing best practises discovered within the organisation
Instead of trying to apply organisation-wide general rules for required office attendance or limiting remote days, try finding working hybrid work practises from within your organisation. Recognizing and sharing best practices is an effective way to motivate employees and encourage office visits. When individuals within the organization discover innovative or efficient ways of working, it's essential to celebrate and share these successes.
Create a platform or system for employees and team leads managing the remote work to share their best practices and success stories. This can be in the form of a dedicated channel on your company's internal communication platform or a regular newsletter that highlights noteworthy achievements. By showcasing the achievements of individuals and teams, you create a culture of recognition and inspire others to strive for excellence.
In addition to recognizing individual achievements, encourage employees to collaborate and share best practices with one another. This can be done through mentorship programs, cross-functional projects, or knowledge-sharing sessions. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, you create an environment that employees are eager to be a part of.
As team leads are often the ones leading implementation of hybrid working in operational level, put emphasis on providing them support and time to share best practises (and failures) of hybrid work management they have implemented. This way the hybrid working rules and guidelines best match the needs of each team and employee as well as match your company culture.
Strategy 4: Encouraging team level guidelines on hybrid work practises
To ensure a smooth transition to a hybrid work environment, it's important to establish clear guidelines and expectations at the team level. This includes defining when and how often employees should visit the office, as well as outlining the responsibilities and deliverables associated with remote work.
Involve your team members in the process of defining these guidelines to ensure their buy-in and commitment. Conduct regular check-ins and feedback sessions to assess the effectiveness of the hybrid work practices and make necessary adjustments.
Flexibility is key when it comes to hybrid work practices. Recognize that different individuals may have varying preferences and needs. Some employees may thrive in a fully remote setting, while others may prefer a more structured office environment. By providing flexibility and allowing employees to tailor their work arrangements to their needs, you create a motivated and engaged workforce.
Remember that being able to have also fully in person meetings can yield positive results not just on productivity but on work satisfaction, culture and even amount of joy experience by the participants. As a manifest of this, a study made by Finnish Workspace consultancy Workspace.fi showed 28 times more joy in onsite meetings with no remote participants when compared to hybrid or remote meeting.
Strategy 5. The importance of employee motivation in a hybrid work environment
In a hybrid work environment, unlocking employee motivation is crucial for fostering a sense of community and connection. By implementing strategies such as taking down barriers to office visits, promoting collaboration and teamwork, recognizing and sharing best practices, and establishing team-level guidelines on hybrid work practices, you can create an office environment that employees look forward to visiting.
Remember, communication is essential in a hybrid work environment. Regularly check in with your team members to understand their needs and address any concerns or challenges that may arise. By creating an open and supportive culture, you can build a motivated and productive workforce that thrives in a hybrid work environment.
Don't let the challenges of distance and remote work hinder the potential of your team. Embrace the opportunities that a hybrid work environment offers and create a workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and connected. Together, we can unlock the full potential of your hybrid work environment.
Conclusion: Building a motivated and productive workforce in a hybrid work environment
Are your employees becoming more distant in this new era of hybrid work? Do you miss the energy and camaraderie that used to fill the office? If so, you're not alone. In a hybrid work environment, finding ways to encourage and motivate employees to come into the office can be a challenge. However, there are strategies you can implement to boost office visits and foster a sense of connection among your team.
In this article, we shared five proven strategies for unlocking employee motivation in a hybrid work environment. From creating a welcoming office space to organizing team-building activities, these strategies will help you create an environment that employees look forward to visiting. We explored the importance of regular communication, meaningful recognition, and flexibility to meet employees' varying needs. And most importantly, we looked at the individual, their needs, worries and motivators when it comes to visiting the office. Knowing who is at the office is key drivers for a meaningful, productive and fun day at the office. Complement the previous with removal of obstacles like uncertainty about parking availability and space bottle necks like non-functional meeting rooms and you paving the way for thriving and productive office culture.
If you are interested in learning more about the techniques, you can book free workplace consultancy via this link.