How to seamlessly integrate your team back into the hybrid workplace

Following a month-long stint of solely home working, the commuters are coming back and companies have begun rallying their staff back to the office – many in a hybrid fashion.

The fluctuation of working patterns over the past year has likely caused some feelings of upheaval amongst staff, especially juniors or new-joiners who have either never met their colleagues, or have only met them on occasional meetups over the past few years.

With rules signalling a return to the office, some welcome the change – working alongside your colleagues in a shared space inspires feelings of productivity.

Yet some may find the transition from solo working tough.

Businesses should take note of the range of feelings towards hybrid working, and work to create an environment that makes the transition between the home and the office seamless.

Team bonding sessions

Working from both home and the office can leave colleagues feeling disconnected from one another, and the lack of continuity and consistency can be a lot to get used to.

During the readjustment phase, employers should allocate resources to team bonding initiatives, whether this be a team lunch order from a local restaurant or post-work socials.

Spending time with one another to catch up on the months spent apart is essential for creating a happy workforce, and reinforces the premise that creating a positive office culture is a priority amongst those in leadership positions.

Encourage active breaks

While at home, employees may have spent their lunch breaks taking a brisk walk or doing an at-home exercise class.

Returning to the office shouldn’t be a reason to stop either of these habits, after all staying physically active throughout the day will increase productivity and motivation.

Encouraging staff to mimic the routine they have created at home will improve productivity and allow for a more seamless transition to office life.

Sitting at a desk and staring at a screen all day can have negative implications on physical health, affecting the eyes and the back to name a few.

Taking shorter breaks more often can reduce the strain placed on the body, ultimately leading to good health which will in turn increase productivity.

Create office routines

As mentioned, encouraging staff to maintain their personal routines will support continuity during the phase back to the office.

However, employers can further support workers by establishing structured office practices that will help their staff feel settled.

Besides the obvious benefits to mental health, office routines help workers find their rhythm within the workplace and streamline timely practices that can be replicated at home for continuity.

Don’t forget about remote workers

In the move back to the office, people that choose to stay entirely virtual should not be left behind.

Many remote employees fear their lack of visibility means they will be less likely to be promoted compared to colleagues who visit the office regularly, or even every day.

For this reason, team leaders will need to work harder to create a sense of togetherness between on- and off-site employees.

In our own survey, companies see equal benefits playing an important role here: 81% noting the importance for businesses to provide perks that are accessible to both in-office and remote workers.

Providing flexible wellbeing offering such as Just Eat Pay, where employees can order their favourite lunch using a pre-loaded balance, will encourage fluidity between employees and acts as a reminder that all staff, wherever they’re working from, are valued equally.

The transition from home working to returning back to the office may prove to be difficult for some employees, however using these tips, businesses can create an environment that allows their staff to maintain a level of independence in the way they choose to work.

As we try to regain a sense of normality as we know it, reconnecting with one another has never been more important and employers should keep this in mind when organising their team’s return.