Driving Engagement and Retention in the Hybrid Workplace

Hybrid work is not a novel concept. For decades, forward-thinking businesses have permitted workers to work from home full-time or part-time. What has changed as a consequence of the epidemic is that organizations previously opposed to remote work now see the advantages of doing so.

Companies that formerly felt on-site work was the ideal way to operate and service consumers have changed their minds. They've realized that giving workers greater freedom is critical to keeping them happy — and maybe even retaining them.

According to the Gartner Hybrid Work Employee Survey 2021, 75% of hybrid and remote knowledge workers have raised their expectations for flexible working, and 55% said whether they could work flexibly would decide whether they remain with their firm. The fact that 39% of knowledge employees may quit if firms insist on a "hard return" to on-site employment is perhaps the most concerning, given the present talent crisis.

Attracting fresh talent may become more difficult if firms discard the concept of mixed work entirely. Today, most workers want the ability to work from any place.

Employees want flexibility. What more do they require?

While firms are increasingly committed to long-term hybrid work, many are unable to negotiate the difficulties of the new normal, especially in terms of employee engagement. Flexibility is important, but there are other factors to consider.

Employee engagement has always been critical to the success of businesses. Employees that are engaged are more productive, loyal, and responsible. Despite HR and leadership initiatives, according to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace: 2021 Report, employee engagement is just 20% internationally. The difficulties double in a hybrid workforce when managers and HR teams attempt to connect with and mobilize distant personnel. Specifically:

• Remote employees often feel excluded: They believe they are being passed over for promotions and new initiatives. Compared to on-site personnel, many do not believe they are equal meeting participants. 
• Collaboration may be difficult: Hybrid work presents technological and logistical problems, making it difficult for remote employees to communicate with, problem-solve with, and discuss with colleagues and other teams. 
• Burnout is a genuine concern: As the barriers between work and life become increasingly blurred, remote employees may be more likely to work after hours or on weekends. They feel the stress of being always accessible and always on because they are out of sight. It is very demanding and may rapidly result in burnout.

People teams will be crucial in improving hybrid work so that workers receive what they want: more freedom. And what they need is to be treated as valuable and respected members of the company.

Hybrid work may be quite advantageous, but it does need a change in mindset and the need to evaluate solutions and make choices with the full workforce in mind. This ebook will look at some HR departments' strategies to increase engagement and retention in the modern workplace.

Conclusion

Hybrid work isn't going away, which is a good thing. It helps firms to be more nimble, attract and retain top personnel, decrease overhead expenses, and do various other things. While all of these tactics have been tried and true, assessing if they work for your business and its employees is vital.

Engagement surveys, one-on-ones, and career development are essential for ensuring that remote and on-site staff feel appreciated. When HR teams make each of these a major component of their People strategy, hybrid work becomes a differentiator rather than an impediment. A strategic strategy and the proper tools may provide HR professionals with the assistance they need to make that leap. This is where Lattice comes in.

Lattice changes how businesses approach People Strategy by integrating performance management, employee engagement, remuneration, and employee development into a single solution. Our analytics assist HR teams and managers in better understanding what motivates people throughout the globe. Our platform creates more successful results for your employees and, by implication, your organization, whether your workforce is on-site, remote, or anywhere in between. Request a live demo to see it for yourself.

Download Lattice's whitepaper to learn more about employee engagement and retention pdf only on Whitepapers Online.