In the past year, the modern workplace experience has gone through some major changes. Reliance on video conferencing platforms for virtual meetings, employees opting to work on a flexible schedule, and advances in remote work technology have shaped the current workplace experience—and that was all before the COVID-19 pandemic ushered in the largest remote work migration of all time.

So, what does the future of workplace experience look like? Now that countless organizations and companies around the globe have shown their affinity for the remote work lifestyle, will there even be a “workplace” in a post-COVID-19 world? 

The future of work has long been flexible. But now, with 1 in 2 people reporting that they won’t return to jobs that don’t offer remote work after COVID-19, the future of work is more flexible than ever before. 

Introducing: The Work From Anywhere Movement. 

Maximizing Workplace Experience in an Increasingly Remote World

It pays dividends to create a workplace with positive employee experience. But, what happens if your workplace isn't just a physical office? 

According to the Owl Labs  State of Remote Work 2020 Report, 70% of full time workers in the U.S. have been working remotely due to COVID-19 and 23% are willing to take a pay cut of over 10% if it meant they could continue to work remotely at least some of the time. In a world where working from home was recently mandatory, it comes as no surprise that those employees who took a liking to their remote work lifestyle now intend to keep it that way.

Working remotely can mean a lot of different things depending on an organization, a team, or even an individual employee. Today, the work that used to require physical attendance at an assigned desk can typically be completed anywhere with a laptop or tablet and working WiFi. Work is flexible. Work is portable. This means working from anywhere is easier than ever before and manifests in different ways. Remote work can mean having teams with flexible schedules beyond a normal 9 to 5 set up, a fully or partly remote workforce, employees distributed in different offices across the world, or another type of hybrid in/out of office set up.

In a pre-COVID-19 workplace, if we dare to think back that far, remote and flexible work policies were often a necessary part of recruitment and retention efforts, and when addressing employee satisfaction as a whole. Now, with 80% of full time workers in the U.S. saying that they expect to work from home at least 3x/week after COVID-19, it is becoming an essential factor of employee retention and a key way to maximize the workplace experience.

Mastering the Digital Workplace Experience: Working From Anywhere

Almost any variation of the Work From Anywhere movement involves working from wherever you happen to be or wherever fits in with your schedule, whether that’s a remote setting, a typical office setting, or a combination of locations. Focusing on seamlessly bridging the gap between the experiences is key for employee satisfaction as a whole. Certain amenities, technology, and cultural initiatives can improve the workplace experience for employees no matter what kind of team they're working on or how frequently they set foot in a physical workplace.

While on paper the difference between working remotely and working in-person is as clear cut as being in or out of the physical office, in reality there are far more adjustments that hybrid and Work From Anywhere employees need to make depending on where they are working from on that given day. 

The in-person workplace experience is rooted in face to face interactions and synchronous communication, creating a more immediate and interpersonal environment. On the other hand, the digital workplace experience is rooted in independence and collaborative asynchronous communication, leading to a more trusting and individualistic environment. These two workplace experiences require differing tools and mental preparation, but with the right mindset it is possible to adapt the in-person workplace experience to a digital world.

By creating more successful workplace teams, reducing stress-inducing pain points, and promoting wellness for the entire workforce, you can ensure that your organization's commitment to workplace experience will be evident to all employees—regardless of their location.

Most Successful Workplace Teams

• Digital Teams
• Hybrid Teams
• In-person Teams
  
  

No matter the structure, the most successful teams are well-defined. A successful workplace team can look like any number of things, but the foundation is the same: trust and open communication. Strong teams are the foundation of any high-functioning business and when teams don’t get along well, problems can arise that negatively affect the workplace as a whole. So, 

What do successful workplace teams look like? 

1. Qualities of a Successful Digital Team

Digital teams are teams that are made up of fully remote employees.

• The most successful digital teams are excellent communicators, using both synchronous and asynchronous communication tools, as to keep projects on schedule at any distance
• Successful digital teams have set clear expectations about timelines and metrics for success with one another, so all team members remain on the same page at all times
• All team members of successful digital teams are fluent in the necessary software and remote tech tools that they need to complete a job well done
• Members of successful digital teams are champions of one another, in and out of the virtual office, because teams that never meet in person need to go the extra mile to create team camaraderie that exists more easily for teams that meet in-person regularly
  
  

2. Qualities of a Successful Hybrid Team

Hybrid teams are teams that are made up of a combination of remote and in-person employees.

• The most successful hybrid teams are comprised of highly trustworthy people who regularly practice open and honest communication to ensure all team members are as productive as possible
• All team members of successful hybrid teams are proactive leaders who take initiative over tasks of all sizes, because hybrid teams often work on different schedules, if team members aren’t proactive then they run the risk of falling through the cracks
• Successful hybrid teams have established inclusive collaboration norms. Collaborating on hybrid teams can run the risk of excluding those not in the room, to ensure all team members are participating in team projects, establish an effective norm for collaboration
• Members of successful hybrid teams make the most out of their video calls. Most hybrid teams meet face to face rarely, and when it happens it is typically on a video conferencing platform so every member is included. New to remote meetings? Here is everything you need to know in Remote Meeting 101.
  
  

3. Qualities of a Successful In-Person Team

In-person teams are teams that are made up of fully in-person and on-site employees.

• The most successful in-person teams have a clear vision about their goals and are motivated by the company mission. By setting clear quarterly and monthly person and team goals for themselves, in-person teams can clearly see how their personal contributions lend to the big picture of the team.
• Successful in-person teams have strong leaders who are skilled at communicating the team vision while being open to feedback, without a strong leader teams run the risk of getting off-focus and lack camaraderie
• All members of successful modern in-person teams practice social distancing during any team meetings, and gladly adhere to all applicable CDC health and wellness guidelines
• Members of successful in-person teams regularly take time to recognize one another’s great work. When all team members believe that their work is valued, they will be motivated to continue performing at a high level.
  
  

Reducing Stressful Office Pain Points

1. Interactive Office Maps
2. Neighborhoods
3. VPN or Hot Spots
4. Integrate a Remote Work Policy
5. Follow COVID-19 Guidelines

1. Interactive Office Maps

Whether it's a large screen kiosk in an office lobby or an app on every employees' phone, interactive maps make finding and using office resources simple. Office maps show employees at a glance which spaces are available and at what times, avoiding wasted time circling the office for a free space. Maps also benefit employees who aren't typically in the office because they can use them to navigate with confidence without having to ask "where does Michael sit?" every time they stop in the office.

Via Robin

2. Neighborhoods

Organizing an office by neighborhoods takes the workplace and makes it a more bite-sized experience for employees. Oftentimes, neighborhoods are used for a certain department, team, or project group to sit together and use the shared resources provided specifically for them. This set up alleviates the social anxiety around navigating an entire office when everything—different workspaces, technology, and relevant people—are all in one, consolidated area. Again, this benefits remote employees too when they stop in the office because they only need to master one section of a workplace instead of an entire floor or building.

3. VPN or Hot Spots

If you've ever worked remotely you know how awkward it is when you can't access your email or your video call keeps breaking up. For an organization with remote employees that need to be able to access company data efficiently, arming those employees with VPN and hotspot tech can make a huge difference in their day-to-day productivity. This kind of support wipes away the stress associated with the cost of these tools and the awkward repercussions if they don't have them. No more leaving your in-office colleagues staring at a frozen face on the screen as you disconnect and reconnect to the coffee shop WiFi for the third time.

4. Integrate a Remote Work Policy

COVID-19 has introduced a new wave of potential office pain points, but one pain point that is easy to avoid is employees wondering when and if they can work remotely. If you didn’t implement a permanent remote work policy when the pandemic sent everyone to work from home earlier this year, now is the time to do so. A remote work policy is essential for organizations with remote employees, especially for those who are just getting started with remote work. Instituting a clear policy helps remote employees work from anywhere productively, no matter the situation. 

To get you started, here is a guide to help you create a remote work policy that works, along with some handy templates to help you do it quickly.

5. Follow COVID-19 Guidelines

As mentioned above, COVID-19 has the potential to be a large pain point for many employees, in or out of the office. Every state and local government has issued their own COVID-19 mandates for businesses who want to return to on-site and in-office work. When done safely, this return to “business as usual” is possible, but with various new protocols and changes. To ensure you are following the proper health and safety guidelines for working in an office building, turn to these CDC guidelines.

Remember, COVID-19 affects all of your employees, even those who have always worked remotely. To reduce their potential COVID-19 related pain points, have your team leaders or HR representative reach out to them directly and regularly to see how best you can support them during this stressful time.

Provide Space Designated to Wellness

1. Areas to Recharge
2. Wellness Programs
3. Flexible Schedules

1. Areas to Recharge