It’s no secret that we’ve all had to make significant changes in both our personal and our working lives since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, now that many procedures that were put in place to stop the spread of the virus have phased out (such as government-advised working from home), it seems that hybrid ways of working are here to stay.
Hybrid working means splitting time between working remotely and in an office. It allows people to choose to get their work done wherever they are most comfortable and productive, and we’re seeing many more employers choosing to adopt this model. At Wickes, we’ve adjusted to permanent hybrid working for our Central Services teams because ultimately if our people are happy with a healthy work/life balance, we know our business will be more successful. Here are some top tips for adjusting to a hybrid working model:
Plan your week
The beauty of hybrid working is that you can (within reason) choose what works best for your personal or family life. If you’re someone who loves going into the office, you have the freedom to choose as many days as you like, and similarly, if you prefer working from home, you could do this too.
However, it can be a long week if you don’t leave the house, so plan your week and break it up with a day or two in the office to help make it less monotonous.
Take regular breaks
At home, with few distractions, it's easy to find yourself spending hours working without breaks or even getting up from your desk. A good way to avoid this is to schedule some time throughout the day to get up and stretch your legs, have a cup of tea or do something non-work related.
A short pause from what you’re working on allows your brain to refocus and will help productivity and creativity when you return.
No commute? Exercise instead
With no commute when working from home, it’s a good opportunity to use the time to go out for a walk, do some exercise, or maybe even meditate. This is great for not only your physical health but your mental health too.
Additionally, working out in the morning boosts your energy, sets the tone for the rest of the day and typically means you’ll be more productive! What’s not to love?
Communication is key
Though working remotely has plenty of benefits, communication isn’t always straightforward. Ensuring you’re regularly in touch with teammates throughout the week will help to increase collaboration, inclusion and creativity.
Whilst you may already have regular meetings in place with colleagues throughout the week, perhaps schedule some time to have a call with a teammate to just catch up, chat over a coffee virtually, and find out how each other is doing.
Face to face meetings in the office
Whilst there are many advantages of working at home, the benefits of working in an office shouldn't be overlooked. Being in the office allows employees to connect spontaneously with colleagues that they may not interact with daily.
When you do go into the office, try to have some meetings face to face, or even go for a walk or coffee with colleagues. This helps to build relationships and really get to know the people you’re working with. It can be easier to read emotions face to face than over a screen, so you can really get insight into people’s well-being and offer support where needed.
Establish what works for you
The ultimate tip for adjusting to a hybrid working model is taking time to find out what actually works for you. If you need a dedicated workspace in a quiet area, create this in the comfort of your home, or perhaps head to a local library instead. Similarly, if you prefer working more in a buzzy environment, you might enjoy working from the office more frequently or even remotely in a cafe.
Find a hybrid role that suits you at Wickes
We’ve come a long way since the start of the pandemic, and following a period of strong growth, it’s an exciting time to join the Wickes family and enjoy the hybrid working opportunities that we offer.
If you’re keen to get stuck into a welcoming and diverse environment where you can continuously learn, develop and grow with our business, we may have an opportunity for you. Browse our available Head Office jobs in Watford today.
