Isolation, lack of physical interaction, and blurred work-life boundaries are among the common problems that plague remote employees months after adjusting to their new working arrangement. However, another important yet understated issue with more profound long-term consequences is the loss of workplace culture, which has meaningful effects on employee productivity, satisfaction, and retention.
Workplace culture matters since it lets employees identify their company’s values and are thus more likely to engage with their work – a crucial factor in today’s workplace. A study discovered that organisations with high engagement enjoyed higher productivity, customer loyalty, and profitability than the competition. Moreover, companies with a clear culture and engaged workforce are more likely to attract top talent. In contrast, those with poor employee engagement typically experienced high turnover rates.
Fostering company culture cannot be overlooked when investing in the company’s long-term success. With more and more organisations adopting a hybrid work setting moving forward, the persistence of a scattered workforce – some working in-office while others remotely in rotation – means the risk of fragmented work culture remains. However, there is hope for hybrid teams looking to maximise productivity, and sustaining a robust culture in a hybrid workplace starts with the following steps.
1. Organise social events
Scheduling events is conducive to letting all employees build meaningful relationships that would otherwise not be possible through digital interactions alone. Events that resonate with employees can promote increased productivity and engagement by letting everyone communicate face-to-face, get better acquainted with one another, and even form friendships, potentially boosting efficiency, innovation, and many other critical operational elements. Sending out surveys lets you better learn what kinds of events your employees are interested in and ensure they are a success. When presenting those opportunities, let the participants know you value their input and have integrated their ideas.
2. Nurture transparency
A 2021 report by Glassdoor states that transparency promotes a stronger workplace and higher employee engagement. By providing visibility into the company’s operations, employees are more likely to trust the organisation and become more loyal. Increasing transparency in a hybrid workforce is best achieved with the help of technology. Some ways to do that include:
- Using video conferencing to provide updates and check-ins.
- Establishing an employee communications network where employees and leaders can share and interact about company news and updates.
- Invest in a digital system for managing workflows to enable team members to see everyone’s progress and difficulties in their projects.
- Host a digital repository for training materials, performance review guidance, employee resources, past projects, and more.
Proactively providing employees with the resources they need to succeed significantly reduces frustration, increases productivity, and saves time.
3. Establish a strong mission that can unify teams
Glassdoor’s Mission & Culture Survey discovered that 79 per cent of potential employees would assess a company’s mission and purpose prior to submitting their application. Therefore, having a solid mission and values is essential as it gives employees their main sense of purpose and guides the workforce to drive business results.
Therefore, it would be best to frequently promote the business’s mission to team members and new hires and remind them how their work ultimately contributes to achieving it. During team meetings, take time to talk about the company’s values and consider featuring them in marketing materials as well. Use the organisation’s mission and values as key drivers of every part of your business strategy.
4. Bring everyone together
Successful companies rely not just on the results of individual departments but also organisational success. Strengthen the company’s culture in a hybrid workforce by promoting cross-departmental collaboration, possibly inviting team members from different departments to brainstorm together, or having new hires meet and interact with representatives from various teams.
Conclusion
The transition to a hybrid working model presents many significant challenges, such as sustaining organisational culture among the workforce. However, this issue also presents an excellent opportunity for companies to evolve their approach to collaboration and teamwork. You can start by assessing the current status of your organisation’s culture and see which areas need improvement. Additionally, ensure to continue monitoring employee feedback to properly maintain a strong culture.
If your organisation is looking to adopt coworking spaces as part of the move to hybrid working, GreenHub Singapore has you covered. We offer productivity-focused and modern coworking office spaces for lease in Singapore, complete with all the office resources necessary for a job well done and green biophilic design elements proven to promote your employees’ mental well-being.