Let’s Talk About This Hybrid Work Thing
Okay, and we're back! Well, sort of… If you're like most office-working folk, your offices are making plans to return to some version of in-person work. If the top business word of 2020 was "Zoom," the top word of 2021 might be "hybrid" as most employers opt for some version of remote/in-person mixture of hours.
Personally, I think this is a HUGE step forward in creating a workplace that works for working parents and I'm not mad that a pandemic forced many companies' hands here. Not only did it prove that employees can be just as productive from home, but it's now become a recruiting imperative.
"Oh, you require in-person work for 40 hours/week? Sorry, not interested."
But why is this hybrid approach so good for working parents? Oh, let me count the ways!
Flexibility - The shift to remote work tends to remove time boundaries as well as location boundaries. Do you have appointments you need to make? Home repair people arriving? Kids' soccer games? It may be mental, but working from home makes it seem more acceptable to take care of these things during the day instead of feeling like you can't leave the office or have to fit it in after-hours or on weekends. How nice would it be if weekends were actually used to rest and recharge instead of fitting in all the things you don't think you can get to during the week because you're stuck in an office?
Moderation - I know very few people who were 100% happy with the work-from-home situation with the kids, the partner, the dog, the cat, and whoever else happened to be around. I also know very few people who want to be commuting to and from the office and getting dressed in real pants 5 days a week. The reality is most people prefer this half/half approach that allows for some work from home and some office face-time. Sometimes people feel more productive at home and some people feel more productive in the office and the hybrid approach can allow for both.
Gender Equity - Hear me out here, because this one will take some work, BUT I believe it is possible. I think one of the worst things that could happen is that it becomes the working moms ONLY who take advantage of this hybrid environment because all the household and childcare responsibilities will inevitably fall on her as the one "at home." Because many companies are now making this hybrid approach the norm, or even mandatory due to office space constraints, both moms and dads may be sharing time in the home (assuming they're both knowledge/office workers). That means, 'Hey Dad - you're working from home today? It's your turn to make lunches, turn the laundry over in between calls, and get the kids off to school." The key to making this work? Communication and openness between partners. Mom - don't assume these tasks by default. Dad - don't wait to be told. Have a conversation about what this new working environment looks like and how you will equitably share household responsibilities.
Tips for making this Hybrid Approach to Work work for your family:
Set a schedule. Create a general routine for knowing which days you'll be home vs in the office. Flexibility is great. Chaos, not so much. This will allow you to predict and plan. For example, I always book my personal appointments for Friday afternoons, if I can, because that’s when I know I have the most flexibility in my schedule, childcare, and at home. I can book a doctor appointment six months out and know with relative certainty, this time will still work for me.
Plan your days based on your location. Work from home day? Block your calendar for deep work and personal care. Office day? Take advantage of face-time, collaboration, and building relationships.
Stagger your "office" days with your partner. The mornings are much less chaotic when only one parent is trying to get out the door and one can focus on the kids.
Communicate, communicate, communicate! Did you get that? Let me repeat for those in the back. Communicate!
I know many companies are wading into this hybrid schedule with a "wait and see" mentality. Does it work? Can we move back to a full in-person routine when things really go back to normal? Let's not let that happen. If it works for you and your family, make your voice heard in your organization. If you are a leader, advocate for flexibility. Let's let the days of "you must be in the office or else" die with the pandemic. End rant.