How to make Hybrid work. And what can government do to help?

The pandemic forced a massive remote working experiment. Now, as companies and public sector chart a path forward, hybrid work is emerging as the preferred model for many. It is clear hybrid work is here to stay. Employees get flexibility, companies get some in-office time for collaboration. Sounds ideal, right?

Not so fast. Doing hybrid work well requires more than just letting people work from home a few days a week. Without thoughtful policies, proper support and the right equipment, hybrid risks being the worst of both worlds - disconnected from colleagues, yet still tethered to the office. Indeed, a report from McKinsey found that only 15% of hybrid organisations feel their current policies are working well.

Risk of disconnect

This can cause a serious disconnect. Results of a global survey for our recent HP Work Relationship Index, in which we asked more than 15,000 people across 12 countries how they feel about their work and what their expectations are moving forward, sends a warning signal. Just 27% of knowledge workers feel they have a healthy relationship with their work. That’s a big problem—for people and for business. Because no company can succeed long term without a motivated and engaged workforce.

Three-quarters of the people HP surveyed said tools and technology are an integral part of being successful, whether they’re working from home or the office. Seventy percent said they want technology that allows them to be seen and heard from wherever they are. But only one in four say they have access to these tools today.

Like it or not Hybrid is here to stay – so let’s make it work to our advantage?

Despite criticism from bosses and multiple predictions of its demise, a YouGov survey published earlier this week found that half of workers say they are working from home. Asked what their preferred working situation would be, 29% of workers would prefer work to work from home the whole time, while 43% say some of the time. This corresponds with research by the TUC which showed more than four out of five (82%) workers in Britain want to work flexibly in the future, rising to 87% amongst women workers.

Employers have a duty to provide a safe and effective work environment, whether at home or the office. This means supplying equipment like laptops and ergonomic office furniture. It also requires assessing cybersecurity risks and providing training to keep data safe in a hybrid setup. According to the TUC, only around half of homeworkers have been given cybersecurity training by their employer.

Managers should regularly check in on hybrid workers' mental health and sense of inclusion. Isolation and barriers to promotion are real concerns when part of your team is always remote. Frequent communication and clearly defined policies are key to keeping hybrid staff engaged.

Government should introduce right to request ‘reasonable adjustments’ for hybrid work equipment

The government has a role to play too. Tax incentives helped employers provide home office equipment during the pandemic. We need similarly creative policies now to aid the hybrid transition – in particular to support our SMEs.

Legally mandating that companies provide hybrid work equipment might be controversial. An other approach could be strengthening existing health and safety rules or requiring "reasonable adjustments" for all workers' hybrid equipment needs – both in the office, at home or on the go.

The focus of trade unions and others has rightly been on ensuring employers provide and maintain the equipment – including IT - necessary for workers to work safely and effectively from home.

But it’s no longer enough to focus on the ‘home working environment’ alone. Investment in effective and equitable engagement with employees connecting with the office is essential.?

Platforms such as Zoom and Teams are set up to enable hybrid working, but if Wi-Fi connection either at home or in the office is patchy, or the technology equipment – screens, audiovisuals, video conferencing solutions, webcams – are not up to the job, colleagues online will not be able to properly participate on an equal footing. High quality audio and video, as well as cyber security provision, have become an essential component of work across every sector, whether in an office, at home, or on the go.

Flexible, consistent and equal meeting experiences across all workspaces is essential if we want to take advantage of the benefits of hybrid working. This is why back in 2022 HP acquired Poly - a leader in video conferencing solutions, cameras, headsets, voice and software. Together, HP and Poly deliver a complete ecosystem of devices, software, and digital services to create premium employee experiences and improve workforce productivity.

As we move beyond the pandemic, hybrid work offers tantalising possibilities: flexibility, reduced commutes, and greater inclusion. But simply sending people home part-time is not a solution. With deliberate policies, investment in the right equipment, and clear communication, companies and public sector organisations can create an equitable and engaging hybrid environment. The time to build the future of work is now.