Managing Workforce Stress in a Hybrid Working Environment

1. Let people embrace the flexibility of hybrid working, instead of feeling guilty about it

Encourage your teams to take up that sports class at lunch time or step away from the computer in the middle of the day to pick up the youngest from nursery. Hybrid working can restore some balance and help people be more productive when they need to be.

2. Encourage people to create a ‘barrier’ between home and work life.

Maintaining some form of ‘commute’, even figuratively can help create this distinction. This might be a 10 minute walk around the block or reading your morning news over a cup of coffee before you switch on the laptop.

3. Help your teams think about what can enable them to do Hybrid successfully

Everyone is different, and approaches work differently. Teams who have found both productivity, efficiency and balance in Hybrid working have talked about employing simple things into their work. For example, using helpful apps such as Trello to help structure your work and time or Calm to remind you to take short breaks, meditate regularly or drink more water.

4. Remind people how to stay connected and stay supported

The physical distance between your teams shouldn’t be a barrier, as many organisations have multiple ways for their people to stay connected and supported. Away from the day-to-day relationships which continue to be essential, Employee Resource Groups and Peer Groups are useful ways to discuss issues and share experiences. Employee Assistance Programmes offer a multitude of support options. And offering regular ‘wellbeing drop-in sessions’ can give people an opportunity to tap into important help and advice.

Our People & Transformation experts across the globe have helped organisations small and large wrestle with the challenges and opportunities caused by Hybrid Working and helping people adapt to change in the new world.