Whether You’re In-Person or Hybrid, Co-Workers Share a Need to Collaborate and Connect

Maybe you are seeing it at your company. People are coming back to the office, and they are excited about it. They’re meeting with colleagues and managers in person, going to lunch, grabbing an afternoon coffee, and talking about life and work. Most importantly, they’re sharing ideas, getting feedback, and collaborating in new ways - or more accurately, in old, pre-pandemic ways.

From what I am witnessing at DHL Express, the back to work transition is thriving. Of course, it is just that: a transition. As we emerge from the pandemic, organizations across the globe face very real challenges as they set new policies relative to remote work, in-person office requirements, and hybrid options. In the coming months, these policies will evolve, and we’ll continue to hear a great number of forecasts about what the future of work will really look like down the road.

But rather than make blanket predictions about how much people will or should work in person versus on-line, or how hybrid work schedules should be structured at your company, I’d like to suggest that the inherent value and significant benefits of working together in a shared environment will ultimately guide how workplaces are structured. These values and benefits will inform not just how strenuously business leaders might encourage their teams to return to the office, but how motivated those teams are to be seen and heard in person by their peers and managers. People are social creatures, and at the end of the day the power of personal connections, dialogue, and camaraderie will have a significant impact on how we all work in a post-pandemic world.

For DHL, the importance of making in-person connections is particularly important. We are in the business of connecting people and improving lives. Our purpose is our presence - our presence in communities around the globe, where we deliver vital goods every day. While most of our employees worked on the front lines -- in transportation facilities, in the air and on the ground -- throughout the pandemic, our administrative teams went remote. Now, we are asking them to return to the office at least two or three days a week, reflecting the value we place on personal connections. The response we are receiving is overwhelmingly positive.

How does in-person work make a difference? Among other benefits, it gives business leaders a chance to engage with employees, and it gives employees the opportunity to obtain feedback, demonstrate skills, and pursue advancement. I’m reminded of the experience of one our team members who, early on, returned to the office full-time. Her presence, and her ability to demonstrate commitment while connecting directly with people across the company, led to a new and exciting career path for her. Ultimately, she moved from an administrative position to the operational side of DHL, where she will serve as a service center manager.?

Every company must make different decisions about whether they will offer full-time remote work opportunities, create hybrid schedules, and require in-office attendance. Similarly, employees will have to determine their own priorities; for some, full-time remote work may be the preference, and there will be opportunities for them. In fact, today’s job postings generally make it clear which standard will apply. But in our experience, hybrid work creates a valuable balance for those whose work responsibilities allow it, engaging teams through in person collaboration while offering flexibility at the same time.

At the end of the day, I’m a firm believer in the value of working in the office. But that’s not to say that the office itself won’t be transformed after two years of COVID-19. Like many organizations, DHL is planning significant office renovations to create more open, flexible workspaces. We are also offering new benefits to maintain high morale and improve the in-person experience: catered lunches, new professional development programs, and other perks. As we get back to normal, nothing will be exactly the same, and that’s a good thing.