Blog

9Jul

A lot of businesses have shifted to hybrid work with part of the week spent in the office and the other days spent with employees working remotely. It can be tough to keep everyone on the same page and to keep company processes streamlined.

Here are a few tips on how businesses can adapt to a hybrid working environment:

1. Schedule regular check-ins: Have weekly or biweekly check-ins with employees, either individually or in small groups. This is a time to touch base and see how everyone is doing both professionally and personally.

2. Set clear expectations: When it comes to hybrid work, it’s important to set clear expectations from the start. Employees should know when they are expected to be in the office and when they are expected to work from home.

3. Encourage communication: In a hybrid work environment, there will inevitably be more communication via email, chat, and video conferencing. Encourage employees to over-communicate, rather than under-communicate. Create a hybrid work policy: A hybrid work policy should spell out the dos and don’ts of hybrid work. This will help to set clear expectations and avoid any confusion down the road. Invest in the right technology: In order for hybrid work to be successful, businesses need to

4. Be flexible: One of the benefits of hybrid work is that it allows for more flexibility. Employees may need to take a break in the middle of the day to pick up their kids from school or take a walk to clear their heads. As long as they are getting their work done, be flexible with their schedule.

5. Set clear expectations and then let them work independently: Trust is key for this type of arrangement to be successful. If there are any misunderstandings, they can quickly snowball into big problems. If you micromanage them, it will only lead to frustration on both sides. If productivity has not dwindled, then you have nothing to worry about.

6. Invest in the right technology: In order for hybrid work to be successful, businesses need to invest in the right technology. This includes video conferencing software, project management software, and file-sharing platforms.

With technology, comes liabilities

Once your company has invested in the right technology, cybersecurity needs to be part of the package. Securing sensitive data, especially if you’re handling 3rd-party information needs to be a priority.

This can include investing in a good VPN, data encryption, and 2-factor authentication.

Create a remote work policy:

Much like your company’s regular attendance policy, hybrid work needs its own set of guidelines. This can help to prevent any misunderstandings about what is expected from employees. The policy should cover topics such as personal usage of devices, productivity trackers, etc.

Training employees about cybersecurity is also encouraged because your IT department is only as good as employees who understand the value of security protocols.

Regularly Back Up Data:

Backing up data is an essential part of any business’ cybersecurity strategy, but it’s even more important for hybrid businesses. This is because hybrid businesses often have employees working from different locations, which makes it more difficult to physically secure data.

Get Liability Insurance That Covers Cyber Security Breaches

This is one of the most important steps a company can take to protect itself against hybrid work-related risks. Cyber insurance can help cover the costs of data breaches, cyber extortion, and other risks that come with hybrid working.

Hybrid work can be a great way for businesses to adapt to the changing world. By being flexible with employees, investing in the right technology, and setting clear expectations, businesses can make hybrid work a success.