THE BENEFITS & CHALLENGES OF HYBRID WORKING

At Sky Betting & Gaming we are a business that has thrived off face-to-face interaction. We have always viewed in-person collaboration as an essential part of our success, an enabler of innovation and a contributor to our unique culture. That is why the efforts of our staff over the last 18 months have been even more impressive, to keep the business moving forward, servicing our customers and looking after each whilst completely remote.

We are, however, about to step into a completely new way of working as things start to return to normal.?From September, we’re encouraging our people to experiment with varying levels of flexibility from being remote, best of both or fully office based for the rest of 2021. Our teams will be sharing their feedback with each other so we can find the best model that suits staff and the business going into 2022.

As our incredible new Leeds office opens for everyone in August, I have been reflecting on what challenges we will face over the remainder of 2021 as well as the many benefits we will inevitably experience from getting staff (that feel comfortable to do so) back together.

Hybrid Challenges

?Inclusion & Belonging

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all felt united by working from home together and adapting on that journey.

?As some staff start returning to the office, some will choose to spend days at home which will mean that hybrid meetings will become the norm. The dynamic of some people in a room together and few at home is completely different and takes much more effort to get right so everyone feels included and can properly contribute.

I know people are also worried that not being in the office will effect their visibility and in turn their careers. We do not want a culture that promotes based on visibility but on their ability to do the job, I know this is something that is in peoples minds though so we need to address it.

?We all have a part to play in ensuring that the choice our colleagues make regarding where they work doesn’t negatively impact their sense of belonging or impact within the team. We are committed to creating an inclusive experience for everyone.

?Manager Support

People Managers are often the unsung heroes, as they have a responsibility to look after their team’s wellbeing and work performance in addition they now their flexible working arrangements to help with. These flexible working conversations will be new to many and the way these are handled can have a big impact on team communication, engagement and coordination.

?At Sky Betting & Gaming we will provide the appropriate resources and upskilling to enable our?People Managers to navigate flexible working conversations.

?Culture Dilution

Face-to-face collaboration is an important part of our culture, it helps our people create great relationships quickly and meet new people across the business to share knowledge, etc.

?As we continue to recruit new talent into the business our values may not be so visible in everyday experiences. However, staying true to one of our core values, we’re excited to be creating the next version of our culture as we move into the hybrid way of working.

?We’ve already done a brilliant job in ensuring alignment with our values throughout the pandemic, so I am confident that we will rise to the challenge of ensuring that our hybrid workers feel connected to the business and our values no matter where they work.

?Hybrid Benefits

?Employee Flexibility

Hybrid working will provide our colleagues with balance – those who crave to be based in the office will have a brilliant office space to come to and those that want to work more from home will have that freedom of choice.

?Our colleagues can decide where they work based on the work that they are doing; for example, if they want to ideate with their team then they can arrange to come to the office but if they are working on something that requires no distractions then being at home may be the perfect place. I’m definitely looking forward to being able to do both!

?It’s going to take time for people to get into their own rhythm and a rhythm for their teams: however, I think having the sense of freedom to work the way they want and making sure it works around their personal circumstances will have a positive impact on long-term wellbeing, and in turn have a positive impact for Sky Betting & Gaming.

Trusting our people has always been a core value for Sky Betting & Gaming. Going forward hopefully the lessons we have learned on working at home mean that people are now more likely to take advantage of this, working hours (or where they chose to work) around other things in their lives.

?I’m definitely going to keep some early finishes so I can get outside with my toddler before tea time and bath time!

?Building Trust

I personally think this will be the biggest and most important benefit of hybrid working. Our people, especially managers, will have to trust their teams to continue to work well if they are in the office or at home. ?We know that hybrid working is the right thing trial right now, and we’ve got to trust that the choices everyone makes in terms of the location they work will not negatively impact on the work performance.

?Building trust will be an essential part of creating even better relationships and maintaining our special culture within all teams.

?To Conclude

The future is uncertain; however, after seeing how our colleagues handled the challenges of the pandemic, I’m moving into this hybrid working era with confidence that we will become an even better business.

I believe that the best thing for us right now is to test and learn what works for our people, to get feedback and to listen. Our workplace is for our people and so any decisions we make must be right for them.

For me personally, I’m definitely going to do a bit of both. I’ve already started to have more face-to-face meetings with my team.?Which have been much more productive than on zoom. But I definitely won’t be coming back to the office 5 days a week, with days at home being used for work that needs quiet focus and also a bit of family time!