As the world starts to recover from the pandemic, workplaces are finding themselves in a unique transitional period. While many companies are set to move back to a traditional in-person workplace setting, some businesses are embracing fully remote environments. The most popular trend among businesses is the transition to a hybrid workplace where employees work partially from home and partially from their office location. Though this configuration has already proven to work for most types of businesses, there are some undeniable challenges. As leading providers of IT services and cloud computing solutions, the team at EC Managed IT offers several solutions to help businesses navigate the challenges of hybrid workplaces. That is why they have provided a list of the most common hybrid workplace challenges and how you can address them.
Read about some important cybersecurity tips when working from home.
3 Challenges of Hybrid Workplaces and How to Address Them
The following challenges are commonly associated with hybrid workplaces regardless of industry or company size:
1. Increased Cybersecurity Risks
Company devices such as phones and laptops are often more vulnerable to cyber attacks, data theft, and viruses when they are used in multiple locations. While company networks are often secured and frequently updated, personal networks are easier for criminals to access. To ensure that your team stays safe regardless of their location, consider having each employee utilize a secure cloud computing program like Windows 365. It is also worth educating each employee on the best cybersecurity practices to help them proactively avoid phishing emails, suspicious links, and other threats.
2. Communication Between Team Members
As employees spend more time focusing on their individual tasks, their relationship and camaraderie with coworkers may weaken. This can lead to lower morale and motivation while increasing feelings of isolation. It is also more difficult to onboard and educate new employees in this type of environment. To encourage communication between your employees, consider utilizing programs like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack to perform regular meetings where everyone can communicate and collaborate. This will simulate the feeling of a conventional meeting while giving employees an opportunity to have their voice and ideas be heard.
3. Coordinating Projects and Tracking Productivity
One of the biggest challenges of a hybrid workplace is how difficult it can be for managers and owners to track attendance and productivity. Many employees may now require a more flexible schedule to deal with children or personal appointments, making it difficult to track the number of hours worked and project completion. The use of shared spreadsheets with Microsoft Office and time tracking programs can be a great way to ensure that all projects are being completed as they should be.
To learn more about the challenges of hybrid workplaces and how their team can help you navigate them, reach out to EC Managed IT. They can be reached through their online contact form and will work with you to determine the perfect solutions for your business.