How to make hybrid work a success for your business
As we emerge from the pandemic hybrid work has become the ‘new normal’. Employees expect to spend at least some of the week working from home, and hybrid working is here to stay. Office life has changed forever.
Employers face a complex task in deciding who works from the hybrid office and how often. A well run hybrid workplace can help bring everyone together. It improves employee morale and productivity.
Get it wrong though and your workplace could become incoherent. You could end up with reduced collaboration and innovation. Luckily with the right equipment and systems in place businesses can adapt. They can help employees thrive with this new style of working.
Hybrid flexible working doesn’t mean all workers split their time between home and the office. Many workplaces also have employees who work full time in the office and others who are fully remote. Creating a work environment that meets the needs of these different types of workers can be a challenge. Having the right office equipment is critical for making hybrid work a success.
Office layouts are changing to accommodate the hybrid way of working. They need to become more flexible to accommodate this new way of office life. Teamwork can take place across a range of formal and informal areas. Booths are useful for 1:1 conversations with remote workers. Quieter task-specific areas allow for more focused work.
As hot desking becomes the norm it’s also vital to invest in the right equipment. Hybrid office furniture has to be adaptable. chairs, monitor arms, and even desks should adjust to different heights and body shapes. Height adjustable desks are a hot desking essential. Shared desks need to be adaptable for a variety of users. Being able to modify the height of your desk to an optimal level is great for ergonomics.
Sit stand desk users can also reap the benefits of being able to work standing for some of the day. Sitting for hours is bad for your health. Standing for even a small amount of time each working day can have remarkable health benefits. It eases pressure on your spine, reduces blood pressure and lowers stress.
Technology to help your office adapt to hybrid work
A laptop docking station is an essential piece of hybrid office equipment. It allows you to use the same laptop at home and in the office. There is no need to reconnect multiple USB, monitor and power cables.
Placing your laptop on a docking station will convert it into a desktop. A universal docking station enables a desktop experience with a laptop. There’s no need to pay extra for a larger desktop computer.
Helping homeworkers stay healthy and safe
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure a safe workplace for their staff. This also applies to a hybrid home working setup.
A non-ergonomic home office puts employees at risk of physical health issues. Bad posture can result in musculoskeletal disorders such as chronic back and shoulder pain. Unhealthy equipment positioning in a hybrid work from home office causes fatigue and discomfort. This also reduces productivity. Providing homeworkers with the right office chair and desk can make all the difference.
Supplying an ergonomic chair to employees is essential. It helps them set up a healthier home office. A chair you can adjust to support the spine lowers the risk of suffering neck and back pain. It leads to a healthier posture with better concentration and productivity.
Whatever your body size and shape, an ergonomic chair can be adjusted to fit. It will keep you supported in a variety of healthy sitting positions.
Another important piece of equipment for hybrid remote work is a home office monitor arm. This gives you the flexibility to adjust your screen. You can have it aligned with your eye level for ergonomic viewing. If your screen is at the wrong height, you’ll start developing neck pain. A monitor arm on your home office desk is a sure way to prevent this.
Intelligent booking systems maximise efficiency
Businesses have to think carefully about making efficient use of their space. Employees may only need their desks for a couple of days a week, so how can companies use the space effectively when they’re not there?
One solution for this is an intelligent desk booking system. Staff can check which desks are available through an app and book them before they arrive in the office. Contactless readers on the desktop allow employees to confirm their reservation. They can authenticate with their staff badge, phone or through voice activation.
A flexible desk system helps businesses use their space more efficiently. It maximises their resources. You no longer need one desk for every employee which presents a huge cost saving for your business.
Investing in an intelligent booking system is not only beneficial for hybrid teams. It can also help workers who are in the office full time. Employees can relocate to a different desk to work with colleagues on completing a specific task. Switching desks can also make the working day more stimulating and help employees feel more refreshed and focused.
Intelligent booking systems help companies gather business critical data. They can see how their space is being used and occupied. This maximises efficiency by enabling them to only pay for the space they need. Ultimately this will help your company’s bottom line.
Incorporate ‘wayfinding’ into your office
Interactive ‘wayfinding’ is another way to make hybrid work easier for employees. An interactive 3D map helps you navigate towards your booked desk or meeting space. It can also help you locate your colleagues or a department.
This type of hybrid work technology is useful for remote workers. If they only visit the office occasionally they may not be familiar with the layout. Wayfinding puts them at ease and helps them feel more included.
The 3D map can also have a touchscreen enabling users to set up meetings. Helping employees see which rooms and desks are available is a more effective use of resources.
At Technology Desking we offer solutions to make hybrid work a success. From intelligent booking systems to docking stations, we have everything you need for your employees to thrive. Take a look at our range here.