How to Manage Inconsistent Hybrid Worker Schedules
Provide a consistent hybrid work environment
A lack of access to technology is a hindrance when working remotely. In fact, 27% of workers believe they have easier access to technology when working on-site. The workers’ experience changes every time they switch between working on-site and at home. Employers can make this experience consistent with adjustments to technology, resources, and infrastructure.
Technology
Home office setup
Employees working from home require an internet connection just as fast as at the office, a laptop that can handle the office technology stack, and a printer (if needed). By providing the technology workers need to do their job, employers make life easier for employees and get the same productivity from on-site and remote workers.
One way to provide a consistent experience to on-site and remote employees is to switch everyone to laptops from desktop computers. Workers who work a few days from the office and the rest from home will take their laptops with them and use the same machine irrespective of their location. Employers can make sure all the necessary software is installed on the laptop and no one but the employee can access it.
Besides providing an adequate laptop and internet connection to hybrid employees, employers can work with team leads to find out what their staff needs in terms of technology to give them a consistent experience. You can use SurveyMonkey to collect this information from your employees or go for an employee experience platform such as Microsoft Viva to gain additional insights.
Resources
An adequate home office setup goes a long way in ensuring the worker’s peace of mind and productivity. A home office can cost anywhere from $240 to $2,450 and more, depending on the employee’s needs. At the very least, the worker will have to buy an office chair and desk for the laptop. Some people will not have enough space for a work-from-home setup. They might work from their living rooms or bedrooms, go to a nearby coffee shop, or utilize a coworking space. Employers can help by reimbursing the worker for the cost or providing the equipment depending on the situation.
The kind of setup each employee needs will vary based on their job description as well as their style of doing things. For example, a designer may be more than comfortable working from their bed or kitchen table, but a support rep who spends most of their day on call with customers may want a better space. The best way to standardize resources is to deliver home office equipment to every employee (if they have the space for it). The employers can also form partnerships with coworking spaces to facilitate employees who want to go that route.
Infrastructure
Remote workers face issues with infrastructure that inconvenience them and put data security at risk. Their laptop is connected to their home Wi-Fi, which is connected to multiple other devices at home, which makes it vulnerable to cyber-attacks. According to a study by Tenable, more than 67% of cyber-attacks target remote employees. The sites they visit using their work laptop, the links they click on, the way they store personal and business information, all of that increases the vulnerability of the company’s data. This can be addressed by providing additional cybersecurity training to hybrid employees.
The ‘Work from home deployment kit’ by SANS and the ‘cybersecurity practices for remote workers’ by CIRA are good examples of cybersecurity courses for remote workers. These courses cover the basics of cyber security for remote workers, such as using stronger passwords and securing home Wi-Fi. They also cover information on different types of cyber-attacks and tips on protecting confidential information. On top of courses, employers can also install single sign on (SSO), multi-factor authentication, antivirus software, and VPNs on every employee’s laptop for additional security.
