The New Work Environment
Many businesses are re-evaluating their work environment and schedules after the last year of remote work. In March 2020, business owners had to figure out quickly how to move their staff to work at home. Some were not ready for their team to be fully remote, and other owners had the technology and systems in place for a smoother transition. There are many lessons learned, over the last year, that can be integrated into the future work environment. As businesses are contemplating whether they will have a hybrid, fully remote, or in-office work environment, here are some things to consider:
No matter which work environment your company decides to move forward with, these three items are essential.
A Clear Vision and Values- This is the glue that brings your company together. It motivates employees to provide quality work because they know their contribution is part of getting the company towards that vision. We as humans want to use our talents for a purpose and knowing the company's vision fulfills that purpose. Values set the tone for how teams interact and treat each other. It doesn’t matter if you are a remote team or an in-person team. You can demonstrate the values in all settings, but it must be a conscious effort by all.
Communication is key- The importance of communication became clear this past year due to the uncertainty that existed due to the pandemic. Leaders needed to be transparent and frequently communicate with their team as new information was gathered. Frequent communication needs to continue into the next phase of the work environment. If a company decides to remain fully remote, or hybrid, communication needs to be intentional and inclusive through virtual channels. You don’t want your remote employees to feel like they are on an island. There are numerous ways to keep the communication flowing including all-employee meetings, newsletters, slack or other communication apps, and one-on-one manager meetings to name a few. Here’s a quick blog to understand the importance of communication.
Inclusive environment/Learn from each other- This is a good time for managers to have conversations with their team or send out a quick survey. Hearing from all levels of a business is important. Whatever direction the business takes, you will want to know what has worked and what has been challenging during the remote work setup. I have included a few sample questions to ask. Surveys or feedback conversations don’t just need to happen when big company decisions are made. It is helpful at different times throughout the year. As a leader of the organization, you don’t have visibility on everything going on, and this is one way to understand how well your company is running overall.
Sample Survey Questions:
What has been the biggest challenge of working remotely?
What has helped you be effective while working at home?
How can the company improve communication in a remote work environment?
Do you believe the company’s culture was impacted due to a remote work environment? If yes, please explain.
Other suggestions to support remote teams and/or a hybrid workplace?
What is your ideal work environment: in-office/hybrid work?
