Workplaces are changing, and workplace teams must change with them.Â
As companies in every industry provide more work flexibility and venture into hybrid work modes, workplace teams are charting a brand-new course. Being on the front lines of change is always difficult, and, in this instance, it requires a fundamental shift in how teams think about uncertainty, experimentation, and communication.Â
Given this period of constant change, here are five skills that can help workplace teams navigate this type of environment:
1. Agility and a Willingness To AdaptÂ
If the upheaval of the past two years has proven anything, it is this: Organizations that can quickly adapt are the ones that will thrive and enable employee happiness.Â
The early days of the pandemic were some of the most challenging. Teams used to working face-to-face had to change the way they worked overnight, rapidly implementing new technologies and processes to ensure the business and employees continued to operate successfully. The more recent hybrid phase has introduced even more ambiguity. Given this climate, every workplace team needs to foster a culture of continuous listening, experimentation, and evolution. As recently noted by GartnerOpens a new window , “The key [to operating now] is to have a flexible strategy with defined triggers for making adjustments to plans.â€
The World Happiness 2021 reportOpens a new window discovered that employees began placing a higher value on flexibility and good manager communication during the pandemic, so it’s no wonder that flexibility is still a top priority for so many companies. Workplace services teams need to learn from employees to understand their preferences and challenges better and address them in a personalized way. Just as customer experience organizations rely on journey mapping, workplace services teams should do workplace journey mapping to re-design the employee experience.
2. Build a Workspace That Is Responsive to Employees
Before COVID-19, employees were responsive to their workplaces. Now, workplaces need to be responsive to employees.Â
This new structure has introduced new opportunities for workplace teams to gather input from employees. Today’s employees have their own perspectives about how their workplaces should fit their needs, and they want their employers to listen and adjust.Â
This reality has spurred a fundamental shift in the role of the workplace. Yesterday, going to the workplace daily was an obligation; now, it’s a destination. Embracing this change, forward-thinking workplace teams are creating spaces built with flexibility, collaboration, and employee engagement in mind. For example, we are seeing more teams embrace the office as an event space for team meetings, design sessions, job fairs and volunteer opportunities. For some employees, it may be the first time they are at the workplace, and they need wayfinding tools to help them navigate an unfamiliar space. Just as employees use navigation tools like Google and Apple Maps to get to the workplace, they can use indoor mapping tools to find their desks, workspace, and conference rooms.
Organizations should consider their usage when designing workspaces. By using a reservation management application that collects data about where employees are reserving desks or collaboration spaces to better understand how employees are using the workplace, they can add improvements to fit employee needs and preferences and make more informed decisions about floorplans and real estate.Â
3. Collaborate Across Teams To Streamline Employee Experiences
In the hybrid era, even minor lapses in intra-organizational communication can have a major impact on the employee experience.Â
For example, imagine you’ve recently accepted a role at a new company with a hybrid work setup. You need to go through an onboarding process before your first day, which includes selecting a new company computer, gaining access to collaboration apps for working remotely, and enrolling in benefits. You also need to receive instructions on how to come into a physical workspace by completing health screenings and reserving a desk. This means, before you even start, HR, IT and workplace services all need to be in close contact to get you a laptop or other mobile device, pre-installed apps, account activations and information in advance. If one piece is missing, you may not be ready to go on day one.Â
For this reason, every organization must excel at communicating and collaborating across departments. From HR and workplace services to IT, legal and procurement, every team must work in lockstep to ensure that employee needs are met, as this enables a more productive organization at scale. These teams need to define, implement, and test the employee journey to make sure any gaps are ironed out before employees navigate moments that matter, like returning to the workplace. For example, when employees need to re-board at the workplace, they may not be aware of parking changes, room closures or limited hours for dining services. The cross-functional team should test the re-boarding process from end-to-end to ensure a positive employee experience.
See More: 3 Ways To Stand Out and Attract Top Talent During the Great Resignation
4. Provide and Communicate the Purpose of the Workplace
As the office evolves into an event center, employees want their workplace experiences to be seamless, productive, and full of purpose.Â
Simply telling employees about the return to workplace plans, such as when they are required to come into the office, is not enough. Giving employees a specific purpose, along with information and tools, can change their perspective entirely. For example, a manager could say that every Monday, the team will get together for a design review and reserve desks for them. A recommendation system can help match and coordinate team schedules so colleagues working closely together can be in the office at the same time. It can even reserve the space and time for them. Â
5. Implement Technology That Doesn’t Get in the Way
The skills mentioned above are important, but they’re only half the picture. Without mission-critical software such as desk reservation systems, simple health screenings, office space mapping and wayfinding, the goal of a seamless and stress-free workplace is much more difficult to become a reality. For example, Enmax Corporation, a Canadian utility company that has been on a digital transformation journey for years, was forced to evolve their strategy during the pandemic. They used technology to track employee health screenings and enable employee workspace reservations. These are some of the essential tools that will ensure workers can navigate their workplaces safely and easily.Â
Just as teams need to evolve, so must their processes and tools. They need to be simple and easy, just like the consumer apps people use every day.Â
The role of workplace teams has evolved, and they need to partner closely with HR and other teams to create great employee experiences by addressing people and places together. These teams should learn from evolving best practices – continue to navigate the dynamic changes impacting workplaces, prioritize being adaptable, transparent, and strongly connected across departments, as well as advocate for easy-to-use, consumer-grade technologies.  Â
In doing so, they will not only create an inviting environment for all employees, but they will help instill a healthier and happier organizational culture that ultimately drives talent acquisition and employee retention.Â
How is your workplace team upskilling itself to adapt to its changing role? Let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window .