Looking to attract the best talent? Want to stop employees from leaving? If so, consider hybrid and remote work options. GoodHire conducted a survey that found nearly 70 percent of workers prefer working remotely rather than on premises. And 45 percent said they'd look for a new job or quit if forced to return to the office.
Still, a University of Chicago study found that nearly half of companies offered no remote work options. That's great news for businesses that can and will offer such options. With some firms axing remote arrangements, other organizations stand a good chance of attracting talent.
So how do you build a work culture that supports remote/hybrid work? First, you'll need to prioritize, and with remote work, communication proves vital. Leaders must make expectations clear. Focusing on results and figuring out effective metrics is also wise.
Onboarding gets folks on the same page and is especially important with remote workers. If someone in the office feels lost or out of touch, they can simply ask a co-worker a cubicle over. Not so easy for remote workers, but effective onboarding lays a foundation. Transparency is also vital and builds trust. Employees who know what's going on may suffer less anxiety, thus staying focused and productive.
With hybrid models, workers still come in regularly. Maybe once a week, perhaps once a month. Either way, make the trip as fun as possible. Buy the team lunch, be encouraging and upbeat. Get to know your staff. Ideally, employees will want to come in and see the day more as a retreat than a burden.
And make sure you reach out to employees one-on-one regularly. You might offer kudos for a project well-done or send happy holiday wishes, for example. A bit of kindness goes a long way — even online.
