To Hybrid or Not to Hybrid:
Rethinking “Back to Work” For Your Organization

To Hybrid or Not to Hybrid Work

No shoes, no slacks, no problem. The flexibility of remote work has become a workplace staple over the last two years. It turns out that more than half of Americans want to continue working from home — even post-pandemic. 

Yet there’s still a lurking desire to bring employees back to the office, which explains why hybrid work has become so popular. This compromise between Team Work-from-Home and Team Onsite gives people the flexibility to work both remotely and from the office. 

But this arrangement sparks a lot of questions for business leaders: How will going hybrid impact the bottom line? How will it affect our ability to deliver for our customers? How much flexibility is needed? How are we supposed to onboard remote employees? How can we maintain our corporate culture if we’re not sharing space?

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers. Every organization contains different individuals with different experiences and expectations.

Different Ways for Different Days 

One of the easiest ways to transition to a hybrid schedule is to assign different types of activities for the days employees are in the office versus the days they’re remote. If you’re asking employees to come into the office, make sure they’re maximizing the value of being there (and making it worth the commute and childcare considerations). 

different days

Office time should be dedicated to collaboration sessions, employee training and important events. This way, everyone’s able to make the most of the shared space. Doing so will also allow you to optimize the time spent at home. Use WFH days for quiet work, data analysis and less collaborative video meetings. The office still has a purpose; it’s just a bit different than it was a few years ago. 

Recruitment and Retention

Ask any manager with an open position these days, and they’ll tell you the same thing: hiring is hard right now. The whole WFH experiment that we’ve lived through the last two years has changed employee expectations for how we should be allowed to work. Allowing remote work and flexible schedules may even help you attract quality candidates.

recruitment

The truth is, the general population has become incredibly comfortable with remote interactions — not just comfortable in their sweatpants, but with the technology, too. As a matter of fact, more than 40 percent of U.S. employees said they would start looking for another job or quit immediately if ordered to return to the office full time. Demanding a return to the office might result in a mass resignation. 

Culture and Technology 

It can feel like culture and technology are mutually exclusive; you’re either bonding in the office, or you’re isolated behind a computer screen. But that doesn’t have to be the case! At the end of the day, technology is ultimately what makes hybrid work possible. It allows people to tune in from various locations to communicate and collaborate with their teams. 

However, there is a caveat to this! If you’re not vigilant about the ways that your communication platform can create more work — with 24/7 responses, distracting group chats and unrealistic expectations — you can actually cause more harm than good. Don’t stress out your employees, waste their time or expect them to be responsive at all hours of the day. 

Getting Hybrid Right 

When working on a hybrid approach, you should focus on balancing three things: your customers, your employees and the business.

getting hybrid right

You’re looking for the sweet spot in which you’re able to deliver on all your commitments, attract and retain talent and also invest in your culture. The best thing you can do is be open and honest with your staff. Invite them into the conversation. The more transparency and communication, the better. 

It’s time to stop thinking about how to return to the past, and start looking into the future.

Picture of Katie Dudlets

Katie Dudlets

Katie Dudlets serves as TelNet’s Marketing Manager and Chief Storyteller. A whiteboard enthusiast and compulsive book collector, she can usually be found expounding on the advantages of corporate storytelling. When not at her desk, you’ll probably find her admiring the artistry of a well-crafted taco, petting a dog or zipping around Lake St. Clair on her jet ski.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

TelNet Worldwide
Scroll to Top
How can we help you?

Click to chat with a team member.

Get a Quote.
No Strings Attached.

Want to know how our features, plans and pricing could fit into your business? There's no better way to learn more than to talk to one of our Solution Specialists and get a free quote!

Blog Categories

Is Office Right for You?

Office is a calling-only package that provides HD voice on IP-enabled desk or conference phones. Office is intended for organizations who don’t use our collaboration software or perhaps use another collaboration platform and want to add voice.

Is Mobile Right for You?

Mobile is for organizations whose employees are on the move and do not need a chat platform or to host meetings. The package provides mobile calling. If softphone calling capabilities are all that is needed, our mobile package is your ideal solution.

Is Meetings Right for You?

Meetings is intended for organizations who are totally replacing an existing collaboration platform or adopting their first platform. Meetings includes calling features plus Webex, which is a full-featured collaboration suite that includes many remote and hybrid work functions.

Which Cloud PBX Package Is Right for You?

TelNet Worldwide offers four levels of Cloud PBX. Discover which package is right for you. 

Premium. Similar to Meetings, Premium Meetings is intended for organizations replacing or adopting their first collaboration platform. Premium adds enhanced Webex features, including presenter controls and higher participant counts, making it ideal for bigger organizations who host large webinars or meetings.

Meetings. Meetings is our most popular offeringMeetings is intended for organizations who are totally replacing an existing collaboration platform or adopting their first platform. Meetings includes calling features plus Webex, which is a full-featured collaboration suite that includes many remote and hybrid work functions.

Mobile. Mobile is for organizations whose employees are on the move and do not need a chat platform or to host meetings. The package provides mobile calling. If softphone calling capabilities are all that is needed, our mobile package is your ideal solution.

Office. Office is a calling-only package that provides HD voice on IP-enabled desk or conference phones. Office is intended for organizations who don’t use our collaboration software or perhaps use another collaboration platform and want to add voice.