Hybrid Working

After more than a year of working remotely, organizations are moving to hybrid work. But how do we define hybrid work, exactly? And how can we apply the lessons from our last workplace transition—from in-person to remote—to this new world? This Field Manual will explore the basics of hybrid work, including some of the most common models. It will also dig into the most crucial principles of HR leadership during this transition.

The old rhythms of daily commutes and back-to-back in-person meetings are a thing of the past. But this doesn’t have to mean chaos––it simply means we need to find a new rhythm. New routines and thoughtful rituals will keep our people connected, productive, and motivated. When, where, and how do we interact in person? How much time should be designated for synchronous collaboration, regardless of physical location, and how do we create norms around asynchronous work that allow for flexibility? This Field Manual delves into the day-to-day experience of working together in a hybrid model. Its key takeaways range from the philosophical to the very practical.

Offices aren’t just for meetings and water cooler conversations...or are they? As we reimagine a new world of work, the function of the spaces in which we collaborate is rapidly evolving. This Field Manual looks at the history of the office in an effort to understand its future. It will spotlight emerging ideas about how best to use office space, and look at practical questions such as how to organize our workspaces, teams, and schedules to make productive use of our in-office time.

Modern organizations were built on a foundation that is no longer relevant: the idea that we must be physically present with our people to see and evaluate their work. Now that we’ve proven employees can be productive and companies can run with employees remote and distributed, our beliefs about management are shifting, too. But how do we lead our people equitably and practically? How do we carry out HR functions like recruiting, retaining, coaching, and more in a hybrid context? And how do we in HR support managers in this transition? This Field Manual will address these key issues and the logistical concerns that stem from them, such as how to hold meetings and promote collaboration in a hybrid context.

Building culture in a hybrid world means both confronting new challenges and encountering new possibilities for creating an environment that’s inclusive and empowering, regardless of whether we’re in-person, remote, or something in between. But how do we foster this sense of belonging, connectedness, and trust among our people in a way that can extend beyond the office walls? This Field Manual looks at how culture can keep us connected, no matter where we are in space and time, and offers strategies for using this culture to build stronger, more resilient teams.