The modern workforce is always in a state of flux, and today that change seems to be coming faster than ever before. Employees are no longer bound by geographical boundaries – they can work from anywhere in the world. This has led to the rise of the “hybrid workforce” – a mix of employees who work in the office and remotely.
If you’re not prepared for a hybrid workforce, you could be at a disadvantage. Here are seven policies you should have in place in order to manage a hybrid workforce effectively:
1. Create a firm device use policy
With employees working both in the office and remotely, it’s important to have a policy in place for how devices will be used. This policy should cover everything from which devices are allowed to be used for work purposes (for exampke, only company-issued laptops) to how these devices can be used (no personal email accounts, approved apps only, etc.).
2. Establish remote work policies
In order for employees to be productive when working remotely, you need to establish clear policies for how they will be expected to work. This includes things like specifying which hours employees should be available, how they should communicate with team members, and what tools and resources they will need access to.
3. Define expectations for office communication
With employees working in the office and remotely, it’s important to have a policy for how team members will communicate with each other. This includes specifying things like which tools (Teams, Slack, etc.) should be used for communication, how often team members should check in, and how to handle urgent requests.
4. Create a policy for BYOD
With employees bringing their own devices to work, it’s important to have a policy in place for how these devices will be used. This policy should cover things like which devices are allowed, what type of data can be accessed on these devices, and how to handle lost or stolen devices.
5. Establish a remote worker training program
Employees who will be working remotely need to be trained on how to work effectively from home. This training should cover things like setting up a home office, staying productive when working remotely, and communicating effectively with team members. This also includes things like how to use the tools and resources they need access to and what the company’s expectations are for remote work.
6. Invest in a solid IT partner
When employees are working remotely, it’s important to have an experienced team in place to help manage IT needs. This includes things like
- Ensuring remote workers have access to the tools and resources they need
- Setting up the infrastructure for secure remote access
- Monitoring office networks for potential threats or shortfalls
A knowledgeable partner helping with your IT needs will also help to set up security protocols and best practices for a hybrid workforce.
7. Transition to the cloud
In order for a hybrid workforce to be effective, you may need to transition elements of your business operations to the cloud. This includes things like moving email and files to the cloud, using cloud-based collaboration tools, and implementing cloud-based security solutions. With the proper infrastructure, employees will have access to the tools and resources they need no matter where they are working.
Implementing These Policies
As businesses transition to a hybrid workforce, it’s important to have policies in place to manage this new way of working. By following these policies, you can effectively manage a hybrid workforce and keep your business competitive in today’s economy.
