Being part of the hybrid work model comes with a myriad of positive points; you gain freedom and control over precious time and manage to fit more into your day without the commute to and from work. You can also unlock more savings in your everyday life without spending money on transport. The power to work flexibly may be a central force in many workplace settings, but it can be tricky to keep everyone in your company satisfied.
That being said, the good news is all of us are in search of the same thing – that sweet spot that promotes productivity and provides a good amount of work-life balance. If you are wondering how to take it up a notch to maintain a vibrant office and remote culture on the days your workmates are in person together or working virtually, here are some ways you can start optimising your office culture.
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Cultivate a habit of catching up
Whether it’s bonding over a new bar you chanced upon over the weekend, a killer Netflix series or gathering by the office coffee machines to chat over a cuppa, you can always make it a point to connect with your co-workers at any given time of the day. Taking some time out of your day to intentionally chat with people in passing, bond with your desk buddies and even head for lunch with a coworker is a great way to improve office culture and your own wellbeing.
Beyond culture, having these frequent interactions with your colleagues can develop and strengthen professional relationships, which can ultimately boost work productivity. These small steps can enhance the profitability of your business if you are consistent in your efforts. Remember to take that first step to make someone’s day today!
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Set expectations for remote work
Another way to boost office culture in the hybrid work era is to set self-expectations for remote work. We’ve all heard horror stories of Australians suffering employee burnout, with two in five employees (40%) expecting greater stress in 2025.
Employee fatigue is a frightening phenomenon and a cause for serious concern if steps are not set in place to decrease its rate. It’s safe to assume that the rate will only increase if we fail to manage work expectations and communicate our boundaries healthily, which can lead to us seeing shorter family days and less me time.
For starters, you could go on a strict schedule of no calls after 5 pm, making sure you get to your pilates class or gym session and turning in for the night by 10 pm. These efforts may seem easier said than done; however, setting these self-expectations can go a long way in regulating our mental state and creating better management dynamics with others, which can do a lot of good for our overall well-being.
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Acknowledging Employee Contributions
If you’ve noticed that your team lacks cohesion or that your workmates show up to work only to get paid every fortnight, this productivity tip is for you.
You don’t have to be the boss to cultivate an office culture where employees’ contributions are recognised and acknowledged; anybody on the team can be the first to hop on this habit! It could be leaving a handwritten thank-you note to express gratitude to a particular someone, asking them if they fancy a cuppa to discuss related work tasks or celebrating a work anniversary with your co-worker. Don’t be afraid to drop a message to the work group chat about someone else’s achievement – a little acknowledgement can go a long way!
All of us like to feel a little special every now and then, and engaging in these small gestures could boost employee morale, which could strengthen a team’s dynamics and workflow.
- Reiterate Organisational Values
Do you have difficulty recalling what your company stands for? If the answer is yes, here’s what you need to know about organisational values and why they are set in place.
Every business has yearly goals and targets to achieve. Employees are assessed based on how they align with organisational objectives and their personal values during hiring processes. However, as our workload creeps in on us, it is possible for these values and goals to get lost in translation.
Reminding your team what the company stands for is a useful way to ensure that your employees stay on track and are satisfied as they tick tasks off the to-do list. Reiterating what’s expected of them can deepen their sense of purpose in the company, allowing your employees to stay motivated, efficient and productive.
- Organise Mental Health Programmes
Let’s be real – many of us neglect our mental health a lot more than we should. Our emotional well-being can get left behind when there is so much work to get done weekly, especially during hectic periods and on days when workloads are overwhelming.
One way to ensure that your team goes to work with the best mindsets is to organise and engage in mental health programmes. While being in the hybrid work era can negatively impact our mental health through a lack of connection, having access to mental health support within the organisation is a way to show your support to your employees.
Remember, caring for your emotional well-being takes more than just a few hours off work when it gets overwhelming – it’s a way of life!
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Implement Flexible Policies
It can get stressful when life gets in the way of our professional commitments. Having to juggle a 9-5 yet prioritise self-care, maintain relationships, friendships and save money in this economy are all a part of our 2025 lineup.
One way to ensure that we are able to juggle between different commitments is to implement flexible policies. Be it coming into work an hour earlier and leaving an hour earlier or working extra hours on a Saturday just to take a Wednesday off, it is important to have a profession that allows us to work around our other responsibilities.
Make the most out of hybrid work settings
Embracing the joys of the hybrid work era takes a little bit more effort to maintain a strong work culture. Since work from home is here to stay, it requires a little proactively in catching up with colleagues, more cups of coffee by the machine on office days, more achievement celebrations and stricter boundaries. By creating these boundaries over time, you’ll be well on your way to a greater work-life balance, which is that one thing every worker deserves.
