Making hybrid working a success
The COVID-19 pandemic means we are living the future of work right now.
Flexible, virtual-led, location-independent work was once the dream. Now it’s become the reality faster than we could have anticipated.
In this podcast, entrepreneur D Sangeeta speaks with Elise Stevens about how flexible work can work for everyone.
When the pandemic ends, companies are unlikely to return to their working culture of 2019, so employers and employees will need to make hybrid work a success.
Points raised in this podcast:
- The pandemic brought the future of work forward to now.
- Some employers adapted quickly to a hybrid work arrangement, others are still struggling to find their rhythm, particularly those with a strong face-to-face culture.
- Hybrid work is usually focused on deliverables, not contact hours or location.
- A flexible work arrangement must work for both the employer and the employee. Negotiations and adjustments should be expected.
- Employees wanting a hybrid work arrangement should suggest a trial, keeping in mind if it doesn’t go well, they may be expected to return to the office.
- Companies who operate primarily virtual can also become hybrid by hosting regular face-to-face meetings.
- The lack of water-cooler chat may damage some office relationships but also minimise damaging office politics.
- Virtual work does not mean less work, often it means more as it may be harder to maintain a presence with stakeholders.
About D. Sangeeta:
In 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, D Sangeeta decided to leave her role as Vice President of Connections with Amazon to launch Gotara, which provides personalised and confidential career advice for women in STEM.
Sangeeta has two decades of experience in STEM including senior roles with GE Aviation and Nielsen. Having also completed a master’s in chemistry, Sangeeta knows what it’s like to be the only woman in the room. Her dream is to disrupt the gender imbalance in STEM by supporting women in the industry across the world.
You can connect with Sangeeta on LinkedIn.