June 28, 2023
The Covid-19 pandemic transformed the work world, ushering in an era of remote and hybrid work settings. Hybrid work has created flexibility rarely offered before, yet with all new things, it takes time and effort to master. If you find yourself transitioning between two (or more) “offices,” following is a list of tips to help you make the most of a hybrid work scenario.
Create an at-home set up. With the couch filling in as your new office chair, unlimited snacks calling your name from the kitchen, and the constant company of family or roommates, what’s not to love about working from home? While the benefits may seem endless, the comforts of home may also come with distractions. To avoid falling victim to your home’s amenities and never-ending to-do list, find a separate, quiet space where you can set up shop. Invest in a desk, an ergonomic chair and whatever additional technology you may need—think monitors, keyboards, mouses—so that you can work just as efficiently at home as you do in the office.
Maintain a routine. On “WFH” days, it’s easy to keep hitting the snooze button in the morning knowing that “the office” is just 30 seconds away. To help yourself stay consistent and prepared for the day, maintain the same morning routine and rituals on the days that you work from home as the days that you go into the office.
Plan ahead for the week. Give thought to what days you will be working in person and what days you will be working from home. To make the most out of being in the office, connect with your co-workers ahead of time to coordinate coming in on the same days. If you can, stick to the same schedule every week to help build consistency into your routine.
Prioritize in-person team building. One downfall of hybrid work is the lack of in-person time with your fellow employees. If you can, schedule meetings on days when everyone will be in the office to foster team comradery. Plan happy hours and other team activities to get to know your co-workers as more than just faces on a screen.
Stay connected to your co-workers, even at home. While working from home may be an introvert’s paradise, others may struggle with feeling isolated and disconnected. It’s easy to feel separated from your teams, especially if your only contact is on a screen. Keep water-cooler chat alive in the remote work world by taking the time to check in on your co-workers. A few minutes spent messaging about weekend plans or upcoming trips goes a long way.
Hybrid work appears to be the new “norm,” and it doesn’t look like it’s going to go away any time soon. With a few thoughtful changes, you too can be an expert hybrid worker.