Hybrid working has developed from being initially forced on businesses to becoming the universally recognized future of work. Presenteeism is withering in spite of some high-profile executives demanding workers come into the office. The reality is that benefits of hybrid working are enabling the best of both worlds for employers and workers alike.
Equal collaboration experience anytime, anywhere
To maximise on the benefits, businesses must ensure that all hybrid working experiences have equal status and performance in 2023. It’s no longer acceptable that remote workers have poor audio and video and are disadvantaged during work-meetings because they are in a different location. Businesses need to understand that one-size-doesn’t-fit-all when it comes to allocating hybrid working devices to their employees.
Put simply, the ingredients of effective hybrid working are user-friendly meeting spaces, powerful laptops, professional headsets and top-notch microphones plus cameras and high-quality monitors. These technologies are mature and can be allied to redesigned office space that reflects the new demands of hybrid working.
“The old excuse of not having the right technology available in the home, office building or remote location is now obsolete,” says Claire Dutton, Senior Manager, UK & Ireland at Poly Hybrid Solutions at HP. “In 2023, technology can’t be the excuse for poor experiences – employers should have systems in place to ensure every worker gets the right technology they require for hybrid working purposes.”
Attitudes to hybrid shift
With the workspaces properly equipped and designed, the main excuses for not supporting hybrid working can be taken away. Every worker regardless of location should be able to participate on an equal footing with this in place. Only personal preference – or worse, perceived preference for traditional offices – is holding back acceleration of the future of work and, in 2023 even fewer excuses will be acceptable.
“The Catch 22 situation that has held back hybrid working is almost over,” adds Dutton. “The ‘I came into the office but there was nobody there so it’s not worth me coming in again’ can be refuted by the office offering comfortable workspaces with optimised equipment. It is also important to make sure that the tech in the office, home or elsewhere are customised to meet the work-location challenges. If people can only be productive from one location, then perhaps their workstyle is different or their tech isn’t able to fully support them.”
2023 will see hybrid working stop being seen as something new but as the permanent reality. Workspaces are now in offices, the home and at third locations. Technology has democratized and equalized the experiences so there is no detriment to meeting participation, effective collaboration and clear communication, regardless of location. The enablers of this step forward are the spaces themselves and the technologies and equipment deployed within them.
