How to Create a Great Hybrid Work Culture

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While businesses and their people have largely benefitted from the shift to remote work, many workers have said they’d prefer hybrid work arrangements after the pandemic. But some troubling concerns are already emerging within the hybrid model. First, there are questions about how companies will create a cohesive culture with some employees in the office, some working remotely, and everyone potentially working different hours. What’s more alarming, however, are concerned that remote workers will feel excluded and won’t be treated fairly compared to those who spend more time in the office.

These worries were borne out in new research conducted by my firm Workplace Intelligence and Kahoot!. For example, we found that 83% of business leaders say face-to-face communication is important to be successful at their company. Around three-quarters report that office workers are more connected to their colleagues (78%) and are included in important discussions more often (73%). But perhaps most notably, around 6 out of 10 leaders say that employees who work in an office are more likely to get promoted and receive regular raises, and they’re seen as harder workers and more valuable.

For the hybrid approach to be successful, businesses must work to reverse these biases and promote a healthy corporate culture where everyone feels equally included and able to succeed, no matter their location. Let’s look at some of the steps companies can take to head off some of the cultural challenges that the hybrid workplace may present.

Offer the right technologies to bring employees together

Our research revealed that 91% of workers want to feel more connected to their coworkers, and they believe this could be accomplished by having access to more collaboration and employee engagement technologies. These tools can also help ensure that remote workers are treated the same as their office counterparts. In fact, our study revealed that 77% of people say remote workers are treated fairly at companies offering best-in-class collaboration technologies, while just 32% agree at companies where the technologies are subpar.

Make time for both virtual and in-person team-building activities

People’s ability to informally spend time with their colleagues is clearly linked to workplace culture — Google “the importance of water-cooler chats” and you’ll see dozens of articles on this topic. In fact, nearly three-quarters (72%) of the employees we surveyed feel it’s important to have fun with their teammates during the workday, and 81% of companies agree. However, in the hybrid workplace, employers need to ensure they take a “remote first” approach when it comes to workplace socialization.

Make calls and meetings fair for everyone

Some companies have said that if even one person is dialing in remotely to a meeting, then the entire team should dial into the meeting. Others are using better camera set-ups or Zoom Rooms to create a more immersive experience for their remote workers. And it’s also critical that managers ensure they’re getting enough facetime with their virtual team members. This could be as simple as communicating via video calls instead of just text, email, or phone calls.

Only time will tell if the hybrid model will fail or flourish, but I believe companies who focus on creating a great culture will be much more likely to succeed. To read the full article, subscribe to my FREE Workplace Intelligence Insider Newsletter.

And I’d love to hear your perspective — what is your company doing to create a strong culture in the hybrid workplace? Join the conversation below!