Challenges With Remote and Hybrid Office Culture

Remote work is likely to become the defining feature of office jobs in the 21st century. While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies’ hands into the remote setting, it has stuck even after businesses are able to open. The reduced overhead for businesses as well as increased freedom and flexibility for employees makes it a win-win that most brands are eager to enjoy. However, with this dramatic shift in the workplace environment, there are also dramatic shifts in workplace culture that need to be managed. Many companies express the same challenges when attempting to switch to remote workplace culture. If you are struggling with any of these three issues, there are ways to manage the growing pains and come out the other side more successfully. Personality types  While many introverted people love the work-from-home setup, not all of your employees will thrive in an isolated environment. Your extroverted employees will miss the office environment and may look elsewhere if your company does not provide some sort of collaborative environment. Offer options for these employees, whether it is a coworking space or travel opportunities to events such as conferences and corporate retreats. The unfair advantage If you have some employees working remotely and some still in the office, they may start to feel a workplace cultural divide. The employees working from home may feel disconnected from the workplace culture, while those in the office may feel jealous of those who are able to stay at home. If your company is going to bridge this divide, you should ensure that everyone has equal opportunity for some office work and some at-home work. By providing choices rather than giving orders, you allow everyone to work in the environment that makes them feel most comfortable. Peer pressure If you give employees the option to work from home, you must emphasize that this option is equally valid to coming into the office and that it does not reflect on one’s personal standing or work ethic. While many employees prefer to work from home for focused, independent work, they may feel that it reflects poorly on themselves compared to the employees who show up every day (even if their performance is on par or greater). Building remote work into the culture takes time and should be viewed with high regard by your upper management. If you are interested in recreating your facility in order to reflect your business’ changing values, contact MaintenX today to learn about our renovation options.