Creating new working frameworks for better employee experience

Organisations are reassessing the way they work, the role of their workplace, what it looks like and how they use it. Organisations are engaging with us to develop a hybrid working framework to communicate their expectations to employees and articulate the benefits of spending time in the workplace.

Acknowledging that employees predominantly feel more productive at home, it is crucial for organisations to understand and communicate the real value of coming into the office, especially for those businesses that thrive on cross-team collaboration.

Not communicating a clear hybrid working framework, and taking a wait and see approach, may leave some organisations exposed. Employees who feel uncertain about expectations and longer-term commitments around hybrid working may search for alternative employment at an organisation where this is clearly articulated.

Many organisations have communicated return to office and hybrid working expectations at various points during the pandemic, but that these may no longer be fit-for-purpose as we move into a COVID normal way of life. There is a real need for organisations to revisit and formalise their hybrid working approach, and this is where our Workplace team can add value.

We assist organisations in assessing their hybrid working requirements and create a framework and toolkit that is specific to their needs. We can develop clear expectations of time in the office and how decisions about where employees will work are made. There are no one-size fits all, and each organisation needs to decide what is right for their people and business outcomes.

The outcome is to view hybrid working from a professional standpoint that balances business needs with the flexibility and autonomy many employees seek. A framework can also be developed around team operating rhythms, so there are clear and agreed norms around hybrid working, and everyone knows exactly what is expected of them.

A well thought out and clearly communicated hybrid working framework cannot be underestimated. It can increase office utilisation by providing clear expectations and ensuring employees make the most of their time in the workplace. A hybrid working framework also offers a business-as-usual model for an organisation, so even if we face restrictions again in the future, the overall goals and expectations remain very clear to all employees.

If your organisation has a clear and well-communicated approach to hybrid working, this will positively impact employee attraction, retention, and wellbeing, and will also inform your future workplace requirements, both in terms of how much space you require and how best to use that space.

This Insights piece is a summary of the full article from our latest Workspace magazine. Read the full version here.