Comparing a Hybrid Workforce with Remote Work Realities

How to Build a Productive Work Culture in 2021

Editor’s note: This article is the first in a two-part series to help IT leaders as they’re planning for a hybrid work model. 

As access to COVID-19 vaccines increases, companies around the world are actively discussing how to prepare for a hybrid work culture, somewhere along the continuum of fully returning and fully remote, with many options in between.   

After a year of working from home, the employee mindset has shifted with many people discovering that they enjoy the additional flexibility to balance their family lives while others are “Zoom fatigued” and eager to get back to the office for face-to-face interaction and personal growth.  The answer probably lies in a range of options and the phasing of return to office (RTO), creating the “new normal”.  

“At SMC Squared we’re actively discussing and preparing for RTO for our own teams and guiding many clients.  The goal is to continue to maintain a safe environment for an engaged and highly productive workforce. I’ve challenged our management team to rethink how we listen, remain flexible, and importantly retain our employees.  We are working to ensure they feel safe returning to the office while also maximizing their opportunities for career growth, collaboration, and mentorship,” says CEO and Co-Founder Patricia Connolly.

It’s not going to be easy as the workplace mindset has rapidly shifted over the last year.  Companies must define what a hybrid working model means for them while putting in place different options to balance the needs of the organization and of their people. In addition to the internal challenges,  organizations face external factors such as vaccination availability, COVID-19 caseloads, work-life balance, and the highly active and competitive job market.

“We’re also seeing more women attending to family needs, a natural priority as a result of the pandemic,” said Connolly.  As a woman-owned and led business, SMC Squared is a strong supporter of STEM and women in technology leadership roles. “We need to be innovative and create a working model that helps retain the female workforce as a strategic focus.”

So, what should IT leaders consider to effectively handle the hybrid model?

“While consistency may be the principle, a ‘one bill fits all’ approach may be short-sighted. If there is an opportunity to do so,  the RTO options can be driven based on various parameters unique to each organization, capability area, and employee.  What needs to be accomplished during each sprint or cycle of work can be balanced with the roles and responsibilities needed for the task. Diverse needs of employees and flexibility will be key to retention.  Allowing options for young mothers, working couples, those with elder parents is the right thing to do,” says Director of HR Supriya Ambuga.

Step 1 – Lean in and Listen.  SMC Squared actively listened to leaders and team members on their ideas and concerns for returning to the office.  This gave us a rich pool of options and ideas to start forming an approach to RTO.   We modeled our ideas and considered the current size and growth of the team, occupancy rates, social distancing, and other factors to ensure working in the office was comfortable and well-coordinated.  For insight into this modeling contact us here.  We’re happy to share our insights.  

Step 2 – Leaders First. At SMC Squared, we’ve started the RTO process by inviting our leaders back to the office as they feel comfortable.  This allows for the wheel to start turning and in turn, allows individual employees the opportunities to come in for time with their managers.

Step 3 – Pilot Invitation. According to Ambuga, “It may be ideal to pilot the hybrid model with certain groups who have the flexibility to test changes before they are  implemented at an organization level.”   

While having employees from the same team come into the office on the same days may appear to be the easiest and most sought-after approach, IT Leaders should consider how this model may help or hinder cross-functional collaboration. 

For many employees, choosing days of the week to return to the office may be favorable, however from a leadership perspective, requiring core days or employee presence during team training and workshops will be necessary in order to maximize overall employee productivity. 

Step 4 – Consider Culture.  Remember to keep your company’s culture and brand in mind to keep the team engaged.  This impacts current employee retention and also helps you define a great opportunity when attracting and recruiting new team members. 

As your organization works to develop an RTO approach, consider the following: 

How will you build your hybrid team?  Click here for a complimentary Strategic Assessment to learn how SMC Squared can assist with your hybrid work plans.

• To learn more about SMC Squared’s approach to building an employee-centric team, click here.
• Read more about how SMC Squared partners with clients to save an average of 42% on IT talent as they turn to our innovative Global Insourcing Centers.
• Want to go inside a GIC? Click here.

For more information contact:
Trent Michaels
Director, Business Development
trent.michaels@smc2.com