2022: The continuation of hybrid working

Throughout 2022 and beyond, the world of work will maintain its hybrid approach. Continuing with remote work forever isn’t a feasible option, as it misses out on the benefits of in-person work. Instead, hybrid is the way forward as it utilises the best of both worlds – a blend of remote and in-person working.

When we look at the future of work from the perspective of employees, they hold a lot of the power. For many, expectations have dramatically changed when it comes to the balance between work and personal life, and employees are demanding new benefits – with a flexible approach to work often topping the list. To see success in 2022 and beyond, businesses need to continue with a hybrid approach, to support their employees and remain agile.

Harnessing hybrid

Many businesses that were able to quickly implement remote working practices when the pandemic first broke out have now adopted a hybrid approach, recognising the value of both remote and in-office work environments. Employees have become accustomed to this way of working and expect it to continue as a result. In fact, the option to work from home has become a deal-breaker for many and nearly half would consider leaving their role if flexible working was not an option. To nurture employee happiness and retain staff, businesses need to continue operating on a hybrid model, with technology playing a key role in enabling this.

Technology continues to dramatically improve as consumer demand for new innovations and features increase. However, there are clearly pain points borne from hybrid working that employees are unlikely to have experienced previously, and new features need to be introduced to help businesses fix these. For example, it can be more difficult to see or hear colleagues when some are working in the office while others are at home. The latest hardware and AI technology can offer remote participants a clear view of all in-person participants with optimal audio quality, even if there is background noise or if the colleague speaking is simultaneously walking around the meeting room. Advancements in transcription and translation technologies also mean that employees across borders can collaborate, regardless of where they are based and what language they speak.

When working in a hybrid structure, many apps and tools are in disparate locations, making employees feel inundated. However, many vendors have acknowledged this struggle and are developing solutions to help tackle this, ensuring their services meet the changing needs of users. Bringing various apps and tools into one overarching platform can help to combat these issues. When apps are easily and seamlessly integrated into meetings, this enhances collaboration, productivity and entertainment, as well as allowing for more opportunities to work asynchronously.

Sustaining security

The past two years have seen hackers increasingly trying to take advantage of dispersed workforces, expanding the threat landscape by looking to exploit any weak points in a business. Offices have high-level security features such as firewalls that protect employees. But, outside of the office, there is potential for heightened security issues. For example, there are security exposure points in collaborative workspaces, libraries and cafes, which elevates the risks. Anything online, such as emails or documents saved into the cloud, give cyber criminals the opportunity to attack. IT teams have to educate their staff to a much higher degree and demonstrate measures that must be put in place, such as a trustworthy VPN.

There are several ways in which to prevent possible security risks from remote or hybrid working, such as adopting a zero-trust approach, personalising data protection, and bolstering hands-on, robust training. IT teams must make sure that security is a cornerstone of hybrid work to sufficiently protect and support those working in the office, those working at home and those implementing a mixture of both. While there will always be security issues to combat, over the last two years, people have become much more accustomed to this new way of working, and features that protect organisations and employees are evolving in tandem with new threats.

The future of work is hybrid According to official government statistics, 87 percent of employees want to continue with a hybrid approach, with this figure rising to 92 percent when looking at the proportion of young people in the UK’s workforce. It will be down to businesses to ensure they support staff, regardless of their location, and equip them with the tools to do their job in the office or at home.

With such large numbers of professionals seeking to retain the flexible approach, people see value in both the physical office and remote working. When used correctly, video communications platforms facilitate collaboration and let people feel more motivated by their time together, defying the physical limits of distance and location, and ensuring that everyone has an equal voice.

Offering the workforce flexibility around where, when and how they work is a major step forward in our working culture, which is long overdue, and is now a mainstay. The past two years have shifted the dial for many when it comes to their focuses outside of work, and staff now expect their employers to support their priorities outside of the typical working day. Hybrid working can ensure that employees feel valued and supported by their employers, meaning they’re likely to be more engaged and productive – a win win for all.