Hybrid work best practices: Navigating the future of work with cloud communications

Despite popular belief, the hybrid work model didn’t start with the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, hybrid work and telecommuting literally used to be rocket science. It all started in 1973 when NASA engineer Jack Nilles coined the term “telecommuting” after opting out of working on-site and started working remotely. Now, over 50 years later, the face of work and hybrid work best practices continue to evolve.   

Over the past decade, the number of people opting for remote work has shot up by 115%, showing a shift away from working in-person towards more flexible hybrid setups. The COVID-19 pandemic gave this trend a major push, moving 71% of Americans from in-office to hybrid work environments in 2020. The pandemic proved that remote work is not only possible, but also effective, making hybrid work a permanent part of our work culture.  

As hybrid work models become more common, organizations are adapting to the evolving requirements of their workforce. Let’s compare how a hybrid work model meets the needs of both business executives and business employees.

What execs want  

• ROI from physical office space: Many top CEOs and shareholders believe their companies are suffering from costs sunk into physical office spaces. They believe return-to-work orders and in-person mandates will help mitigate these costs.   
• Increased collaboration: Many executives believe that returning to the office will encourage higher collaboration amongst team members and promote a more positive company culture. 
• Higher productivity: Top-level execs believe that remote and hybrid work limits employee productivity and that in-office work will lead to more productive employees.   

However, while executives push for a return to in-office work, 68% of mid-level bosses and 48% of employees continue to prefer remote work over in-person work in 2024. 

What employees want  

• Flexibility: A hybrid work environment allows for more flexibility and better work-life balance. Many employees have quoted cost savings on commuting and childcare as factors in preferring hybrid work schedules.  
• Privacy: Water-cooler chats may have been the norm, but today’s employees crave a bit more privacy. Hybrid work allows employees to have more control over when they visit the office and plan accordingly to accommodate for on-site distractions.  
• Productivity: Despite what top-level executives believe, 87% of employees stated they would be more productive if they controlled their own hybrid work schedules, finding it easier to focus at home.   

 So where do you find the middle ground? Let’s look at a few best practices that companies can take to create an effective hybrid work environment.   

Hybrid and remote work don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. Employees prefer flexible hybrid schedules, and so far, productivity is unaffected by a hybrid work environment. Recent studies show hybrid work doesn’t negatively impact productivity. In fact, an earlier MGI report revealed around 20 to 25 percent of workers in advanced economies could easily keep up their productivity while working from home three to five days a week. To strike a balance between top-level mandates and employee preferences, businesses should follow these tips to ensure employees can communicate and collaborate, regardless of their location. 

1. Provide comprehensive training and support  

Changing work trends also means evolving technologies. While some team communication tools seem self-explanatory and intuitive, others might take more in-depth training to ensure employees understand them.  Set employees up for success by providing comprehensive training and making sure there is ample support available while they’re learning to use new technologies. 

2. Bake security into every step  

Security doesn’t have to take a hit just because employees are working hybrid. Putting the right safeguards in place minimizes potential data breaches and other cybersecurity risks wherever employees choose to work. You can ensure robust security by providing remote workers with encrypted VPNs, two-factor authentication (2FA), and regular audits that help guard against vulnerabilities. 

3. Make sure solutions are scalable and easy to integrate  

Enable your teams to connect from anywhere, using any device with scalable cloud solutions. These easy-to-integrate tools allow all communications forms – from email programs to secure messaging and voice solutions – facilitating seamless interaction in the hybrid workplace. With 70% of employees reporting better collaboration thanks to cloud-based communications, it’s clear these scalable tools can help employees adjust to the modern work environment. 

4. Collect feedback and iterate  

Maintaining collaboration and productivity in hybrid work models means keeping an open line of communication for employee feedback. It’s crucial to work alongside hybrid teams to evaluate the solutions you’ve provided to ensure they work in secure and helpful ways without slowing them down.

According to a recent 2023 survey, 56% of the workforce now operates on a hybrid work schedule, and if employees have their way, the number will only rise. The 2024 Gartner “Future of Work Reinvented Resource Center Primer” study highlights that employee productivity in hybrid work models is 3.8 times higher, and employees show a 3.2 times greater intent to stay with their employer when offered flexible work conditions.   

Hybrid schedules provide flexibility and privacy that in-office work cannot. Remote workers reported finding it easier to focus and maintain privacy at home. All the research points to one conclusion: Hybrid work is here to stay.   

As we look to the future, several trends in hybrid work are emerging:  

• Increased adoption: As organizations see the benefits of hybrid work, we can expect a significant shift toward policies supporting remote and in-office flexibility. Because of this, we expect more companies to adopt hybrid models to meet employee demand and improve retention.  
• Enhanced productivity: When employees have the flexibility to choose where they work, they can focus better and get more done. Companies will likely roll out strategies to track and boost this productivity with regular check-ins, performance metrics, and targeted support. As a result, employees will continue to demonstrate higher productivity levels in a hybrid setting.
• Flexible schedules: With hybrid work options, companies will put more focus on letting employees control their schedules to boost productivity and job satisfaction. Instead of tracking hours, they’ll evaluate performance based on outcomes, giving employees a better chance to manage work-life balance. This approach can lead to higher engagement and less burnout.  
• Technology integration: The demand for seamless communication and collaboration will drive companies to invest in advanced technologies. Priorities will include adopting cloud-based solutions, AI-driven productivity tools, and integrated communication platforms. These technologies will enable real-time collaboration, secure data sharing, and streamlined workflows. 

To keep up with the changing work landscape, companies should use cloud communication solutions for their teams. These solutions are scalable, reliable, and secure, making collaboration across the company easier and boosting productivity. By integrating these tools, businesses can ensure their employees stay connected and productive, no matter where they are. This not only supports the hybrid work trend but also helps businesses thrive in a flexible, modern work environment.    

As hybrid work keeps growing, so must your cloud communications solutions. Adapting to the hybrid work model isn’t just about letting employees work from home; it’s about creating a seamless, efficient, and collaborative environment regardless of location. The right cloud solution can help your company boost efficiency, offer flexibility, and enhance collaboration among hybrid workers.  

Providing robust training to hybrid employees, keeping systems secure and easy to use, and allowing open lines of communication are the best ways to make sure your enterprise makes the most of the hybrid work environment. If you’re ready to dive deeper into what your company should be doing to make the most out of the hybrid workforce, check out these resources for more insights: 

• Hybrid work essentials: Everything you need to do it right 
• Working from home: how to ensure your company’s doing it right 
• Top trends defining flexible and hybrid workplace communication 
• Key questions to ask your next Operator Connect provider 

Hybrid work isn’t the end of communication and collaboration—with the right partner, it’s only the beginning. Sinch’s comprehensive suite of cloud communications solutions is designed to meet your company’s specific needs. By leveraging Sinch’s high-performing email programs, secure messaging APIs, and voice solutions with limitless reach, companies can create a connected and collaborative workforce ready to tackle the challenges of the future.   

To find the right cloud communications for hybrid work in your company, chat with a Sinch expert now.