Top trends that will shape hybrid working for 2022 and beyond

The stigma attached to remote working and remote workers has changed drastically during the pandemic. Remote and anywhere working is widely accepted now. As a result, organizations are realizing that their employees can be productive no matter their work location, provided they have the right collaboration tools. 

Hybrid working is going to be the norm in India. In fact, it’s reported that hybrid is the preferred working arrangement amongst employees alongside work anywhere and remote working full-time. 

To ensure hybrid working is successful, companies should invest time in mapping out hybrid work strategies, as well as technology and workspace investments they need to consider, and really take time in understanding their workplace personas. 

Outlined below are the top hybrid working predictions for 2022-

1. Productivity Anywhere Will Shake Up Workforce and Workplace Structure-Remote working has enabled employees to be productive anywhere, everywhere, and anytime. With hybrid working being the default arrangement, business leaders will start looking into providing a more equitable work experience for those inside and outside the office, especially during meetings and group discussions. Willis Tower Watson’s recent 2021 Employee Experience survey found that 90% of APAC employers are prioritizing enhancing the employee experience over the next three years. 

This collaborative infrastructure will also complement the greater adoption of asynchronous work practices – a trend triggered by the pandemic. It will not just redefine how employees collaborate with one another, but also help businesses rethink hiring practices and tap into a more global and diversified talent pool. 

Industries will continue to change how they work, with decentralised work practices and processes enabling effective business continuity for a workforce that may be largely working from home.

2. Office Spaces Reimagined for a Hybrid Future

With employees working remotely half or most of the time, companies are turning to a flexible and cost-effective approach for their office space investment. More huddle rooms will be video-enabled, and converted into collaboration hubs, serving as a place for teams to gather to brainstorm in small groups, host client meetings, celebrate milestones, and work on joint projects.

There will also be a growing adoption of the office on-demand approach to help businesses effectively add on workspaces as needed. 

Business leaders will also look at how to make a return to the office, something that employees look forward to. 

3. Greater Use of Data Analytics in the Workplace 

Leaders will start adopting AI and data analytics to support and improve employee productivity and safety, in addition to driving business growth, as part of their continued digital transformation plan. 

IT departments will turn to data and insights to have a more objective view on employee productivity both in the office and when they work remotely. These inputs will help them decide what technology investments they need to make to help a hybrid workforce collaborate better. 

Office managers will also leverage insights such as occupancy data to determine the most effective office layout, and minimise wasted space and reinforce or improve proper safe distancing measures.

Looking Ahead: Investments in Technology that Improves Employee Experiences

As we go forward, companies’ technology investments and collaboration strategies will focus on improving employees’ working experience both remotely and on-site. 

Emphasis will turn towards investing in technology that minimizes disruption that may hamper productivity and collaboration to enable users to spend more time getting real work done instead of figuring out how the tools work. ​

Also, the limitations around business travels and in-person meetings during the pandemic have also led to a new usage model of videos such as telemedicine, hybrid events, virtual property viewing, and educational courses via videos. This trend will continue, and more organizations will adopt a no-compromise attitude to ensure the highest quality video solutions are used for high-level productivity, resilience, and customer experience. This will drive increased demand for pro-grade technology and collaboration tools that drive better user experiences. 

The article has been written by Ankur Goel, Managing Director for Poly India & SAARC