Defining (or Refining) a Hybrid Work Policy (with a Template)

When countless employers shifted to a work-from-home model at the height of the pandemic, many envisioned employees returning to the office soon after. But that wasn’t the case, with an estimated 45 percent of respondents in the “State of Remote Work” survey reporting full remote work in 2021. Since then, many companies have adopted a hybrid model to balance the benefits of in-office work with the flexibility of remote offerings. Learn more about a hybrid work policy and how to ensure its effectiveness.

What is a Hybrid Work Policy?

A hybrid work policy is an agreement between an employer and employee that outlines the option to work partially remote and partially in person. Hybrid work models promote greater flexibility and support for employees who want or need to work at least some of their hours from home. This type of schedule offering can attract and retain top talent while supporting productivity and engagement goals.

In order to be effective, a hybrid work policy must be clearly defined and consistent. Some of the key elements to include are:

• Eligibility (which employees are able to adopt a hybrid work schedule)
• Scheduling (how regularly or on which days employees need to work in an office)
• Expectations (what employees should expect when working remotely)
• Best practices (what employees should do when working from home)
• Approvals (who is responsible for approving work or requests to work remotely)

5 Steps to Create an Effective Hybrid Work Policy

With a firm grasp on what should be included, your company can create an effective hybrid work policy. Follow these steps to ensure legal compliance and clear communication across the organization.

Review roles and business needs

The first step to take when creating an effective hybrid work policy is to review the needs of the business and each role that supports them. Not all roles are suited to remote work, so figure out which ones are able to be part of the hybrid model.

When reviewing these aspects of business, consider the needs of each role in regard to collaboration, equipment, and productivity. Assess whether an employee working in that role will be well-equipped at home to perform all the duties efficiently.

Request employee feedback

Employees should be part of the conversation, especially when the policy has such an impact on their everyday lives. Ask for feedback regularly regarding any challenges they face, concerns around hybrid work, and preferences. You can use surveys if you want the answers to remain anonymous, or bring up direct questions in 1:1 meetings or group settings.

Outline communication protocols

Establishing the expectations around communication is a key to success in a hybrid work policy. Employees must know how they can communicate with one another and their supervisors. They also need a firm grasp on expected response times, online presence, and availability during work hours.

Standardize the tools used for communication and ensure proper training across all departments. Encourage regular check-ins among business leaders and their teams to maintain alignment and employee engagement.

Set metrics for performance

When an organization allows remote work, a shift may need to occur, refocusing on work outcomes rather than the hours spent working. In your hybrid work policy, make sure to define clear performance metrics that will apply in individual roles or across the organization as a whole. Employees must also be held accountable for their deliverables, regardless of physical work location.

Prioritize employee work-life balance

One of the challenges facing employees who work remotely at least some of the time is the “always on” mentality. This concept refers to the difficulty in separating an individual’s personal and professional life, since their place of work overlaps with where they are expected to relax and enjoy their downtime.

Prioritizing work-life balance means changing expectations around response times after hours. It also requires supervisors to encourage their teams to take time off and be aware of each individual’s workload.

Hybrid Work Policy Template

Explore our template of a hybrid work policy as you create your own.

Hybrid Work Policy Template

By taking these five steps, you can establish a hybrid work policy that supports the needs of employees without sacrificing the success and growth of the organization. And if you need a way to monitor your team members when they’re working remotely, automated timekeeping is the ideal solution.

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