Hybrid Work Schedules: Navigating the New Norm

Adapting to hybrid work schedules has become essential in the modern workplace as organizations strive to blend remote and in-office work. Both managers and employees play critical roles in navigating this new way of working to maintain high levels of productivity, engagement, and work-life balance.

In this quick video, we'll explore tips for both parties. I recommend watching the video with your manager or employee and then discussing your current hybrid norms:

• What's working well?

• What's not working well?

• What does each side want to see more of, less of, or differently?

In order to successfully navigate this unique workplace shift, managers and employees should communicate often about how it's going for each party.

• Read the video transcript

  Well, we all know that the world of work has dramatically changed due to the pandemic, specifically around work schedules and work locations.

  It has opened the door to have these hybrid schedules, these fully remote roles, which is really an amazing thing, an amazing opportunity. But because this is still somewhat new territory, it is often a question that comes up in my work with clients, and so I wanted to talk about it today both from the manager's perspective as well as the employee's perspective.

  So first, for managers, the more that you can measure employee performance based on results delivered, are the expectations actually met in terms of results delivered, rather than time spent working on achieving those results, the better off you will be, the better off your employee will be. So rather than measuring when and where and how did they complete the work, if we can focus on measuring the results, it will set everybody up for a better experience.

  Now, on the flip side, employees, I know you want freedom, you want flexibility, you want to be able to manage your own time and your location, and that's great. But here's the deal, don't take advantage of it too much because if you do, then it will no longer be offered or offered at least with excitement, right? And so don't just meet the bare minimum. Find ways to go above and beyond. If you do this, it is more likely that your manager will want to continue to give you more flexibility.

  My oldest daughter recently started her own babysitting business, and she's still pretty young, but I'm trying to set her up for success, right? So one of the things that we have talked about is, when the children are napping, what should you be doing? Sitting on the couch watching TV? No, absolutely not. You should be finding things to clean up, you should leave that kitchen even tidier than when you arrived. Pick up the toys, organize things. Be working, go above and beyond what's even expected. And when she does that, you better believe those people want her to come back and babysit again, and they feel good about giving her their money.

  Have the same attitude in your role. Just because you checked the box on finishing X, Y, or Z does not mean you should be done with the work. How can you go above and beyond? The more you do this, the more trust you will earn, the more freedom you will have.