TECHNOLOGY
This is maybe the most important factor when it comes to digital inclusivity in the hybrid reality. Some factors like:
- having a strong internet connection
- having a good & comfortable device for remote work
- having digital collaborative tools
might seem normal and employees could even take it for granted. But the employers should think and ensure all the employees have access to those basic needs to ensure proper hybrid work for their teams. Update of the technical devices and software used at home and in the office is also part of the main factors.
DIGITAL SKILLSET
It is true that even before the pandemic, approximately 82% of the jobs required digital skills (DCMS 2019). Still a huge percentage of workers were unaware how to use basic digital communication tools (ex. Zoom, Teams etc.) or were lacking basic technical knowledge (ex. how to connect their PC at home, how to fix Internet issues etc.).
Working in a hybrid environment now requires more than just basic technical skills.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Тhe need of a dedicated technical support team for troubleshooting technical issues is crucial in the hybrid work environment to ensure the communication and workload is going smoothly.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Тhe “place” at home or in the office should be comfortable enough to be productive at work. The employer in collaboration with the employee should make sure that every employee has a calm, comfortable work environment – no distractions from family members, pets, neighbors at home as well as a comfortable chair, desk, and enough natural light at the office or at home.
PROPER TRAINING
The managers and leaders must be masters in digital communication using several tools upon needs. And those people can only be masters if they are trained to be so. Once they have the power of knowledge and the tool in their hand, they can educate their teams and behave way more adequately in the digital hybrid reality. In this case, having a situation where a hybrid team meeting is not productive because someone can’t join or can’t turn on a microphone is reduced to a minimum.
WORK CULTURE
The hybrid environment requires a totally new approach to the culture within the company. Engaging your teams in creating such a culture and making each and every person advocate for these behaviors ensures a sustainable feeling of belonging.
The culture includes communication within the organization, organizational structure, team dynamics and activities, leadership, team and personal goals, performance evaluation, development, work schedule, team meetings rules, care for people’s mental and physical health, SCR, personal and professional development.
The culture defines you as a company, as a team. It is the employer’s brand and a way to attract and retain your people. It’s the culture that makes you unique and shows the world who you are.
ORGANIZATIONAL FLEXIBILITY
Try new things, test what works best for your company and team, assess and adjust is the key to find what is needed. Even though you think you found the best formula for hybrid work, technologies change, needs change so constant flexibility and agility is mandatory to survive and ensure a good work environment for your team.
MANAGEMENT OF MULTICULTURAL TEAMS IN HYBRID ENVIRONMENT
Establishing a culture of understanding, acknowledgement, respect for the cultural differences to make everyone feel welcome, appreciated and valued is important.
Established CULTURE OF INVOLVEMENT and development can be beneficial to the digital inclusivity of the employees if the people’ voice is heard. Education on how to take advantage of hybrid health & well-being opportunities is important to be implemented.
If you want to find out more, take a look at the PROSPER training modules.
