Overcoming the Hybrid Divide with Workforce Safety Planning

Many employees favor the hybrid working model, but new research shows that employers may not completely agree. No matter where work is going, supporting employee safety remains paramount.

Over the past year and more, companies have adapted to changing working environments throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with remote work often leading the way. However, according to a Robert Half survey of more than 2,800 U.S.-based senior managers, a majority (71%) of companies anticipate a full return to the office once COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted. Even fewer (16%) anticipate a move to a hybrid working model, which has become an increasingly popular choice among employees, 49% of whom desire splitting their time between remote work and being onsite throughout the work week.

For some companies, there may be a divide between employers and employees when it comes to working arrangements. But with COVID-19 restrictions still in place and many workers worldwide still operating from their home offices, the hybrid model is likely to remain popular for those wanting a gradual, safe return to the office.

Plus, remote and hybrid working models are likely here to stay, as demonstrated by Worldwide ERC®’s survey of senior HR leaders which found that 96% reported that they are working to determine which roles are best suited for on-premises work, remote work, or hybrid work.

The Potential Challenges of the Hybrid Work Model

For those employers opting for the hybrid model, they may find that it doesn’t come without its own set of challenges and considerations. The Robert Half survey found these top challenges for the hybrid model:

• Communicating effectively with team members: 22%
• Trusting employees to get work done: 20%
• Gauging workloads and helping staff avoid burnout: 20%
• Effectively recognizing and rewarding employee accomplishments: 20%
• Finding time for team development: 19%

Similar to what many have learned over the past year with regards to remote work, the hybrid model can also pose challenges for effective communication and teamwork, balancing workloads while considering employee mental health and wellness, and fully supporting and recognizing employees as they navigate through unprecedented times. No matter which route employers choose, the need to support employees is imperative.

Planning for a Safe Return to Workforce Mobility

Along the way, employee health and safety remain crucial, as the ever-evolving nature of COVID-19 continues to complicate any return-to-the-office planning, regardless of whether or not its hybrid. In the case of mobility, employees are still craving international assignments, driven further by the war for talent and new job opportunities. As employers navigate these situations, turning to guides such as Worldwide ERC®’s Workforce Mobility Safety Framework can help with safety planning across the workforce mobility industry. Should employers eventually choose a hybrid or gradual return to the office, such safety planning can go a long way in supporting employees.

Registration for the 2021 Global Workforce Symposium is Now Open!

Global Workforce Symposium 202One is about bringing the industry together as one and it’s time to celebrate all that global mobility professionals do to keep the world moving. We’re excited to welcome the entire industry under one roof for the first time in two years! Don’t miss this year's largest global mobility meeting. Just as we've done for many years, we're bringing together verticals across the mobility and relocation industry for an event that will feature all of the parts you've come to love over the years plus a few new surprises! Register now for GWS: 202One, taking place 19-22 October in Chicago, Illinois here!