Hybrid working and the more virtual organisation
Remote working, employee flexibility and new technology are no longer trends on the horizon for HR leaders, they’re real challenges which need to be addressed today. The events of the last 10 months have caused organisations to assess how and where they work, accelerating trends like transformation and remote working. But while many businesses are acting on the opportunity to shift to hybrid working and a more virtual organisation, it’s critical to understand the implications on key areas such as reward, workforce engagement and global mobility.
Megatrends shaping the shift towards hybrid working
Technology & agility
Rapid advances in technological innovation promoting agility and automation.
Demographic shifts
The changing distribution and age profile of the world’s population.
Impact of COVID-19
Has given rise to significant people, social and economic challenges on a global scale
Rise of the flexible career
Increasing demand for flexible working, work/life balance, and mobility.
Environmental awareness
Depleted fossil fuels, extreme weather, rising sea levels and water shortages are putting environmental and sustainability concerns high on the agenda.
More recent themes
Operating model change
COVID-19 has had a huge impact changing consumer demands.
Addressing ESG
Enhanced focus on addressing climate change and an increased social responsibility on organisations to address skills shortages in the market.
Fairness
The Black Lives Matter movement and impact of COVID-19 has pushed fairness and equality up the agenda.
Governance & regulation
Increased focus on customer, sustainability and reputation.
Cultural Change
Opportunity to create entrepreneurship and less hierarchical culture
Key considerations
Every decision around your future workplace will impact employee experience, inclusion, culture and ultimately the customer experience. Organisations need to consider and respond to employee and customer expectations as they build their future roadmap.
- Are you able to align your future workforce strategy to what you can afford?
- How virtual should your organisation be, what’s your optimum on-site/ off-site workforce mix and what might the tax implications be?
- What do you need to consider in terms of employee wellbeing and nurturing a new company culture and EVP?
- What real estate does a virtual organisation need?
- Are there major legal or regulatory implications of becoming a more virtual organisation?
- What is your new contract with employees and what does this do to your reward approach?
Trends
We have conducted a number of surveys to understand the realities of virtual working for organisations and trends in how companies are adapting to new ways of working.
Over recent months we’ve seen findings such as:
of employees feel able to perform their role just as effectively while working remotely. But
of employees missed human interaction when working from home.
What the data is showing us, is that there is a need for a hybrid way of working with a blend of remote and office based interaction.
How to approach these challenges
We recently held a series of events to discuss the subject of the Virtual Organisation with HR leaders, covering some of the key challenges and areas which need to be considered. Take a look at some of the content from these sessions to help you explore these in more detail.
Reward
Understanding the impact of global and remote working on your reward and benefits strategy is key to ensuring your organisation remains resilient and supports your people in the right way.
Global Virtual Working
As organisations shift to a ‘work anywhere’ model, it’s important to understand the implications this will have on people, processes and areas such as tax and finance.
Remote Working Challenges
Employee Wellbeing
COVID-19 has brought wellbeing and employee experience in a virtual world into focus, as a resilient and effective workforce are essential to support business performance. Having the right tools, practices and processes in place to support employees and maintain culture is key.
Employee Wellbeing Challenges
Productivity
Maintaining and improving productivity in a virtual organisation may require a shift in processes, upskilling and implementing new technology.
Collaboration
Leading in a virtual world
Employee engagement
Real Estate
Understanding the purpose of real estate in this new world can be challenging. Organisations can adopt a hybrid agile model, examining what this means for your existing real estate portfolio, workplace design, services, technology and how to build in flexibility.
Contact us
People & Organisation Network Leader, PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7739 876723
Co-Leader, Global People and Organisation , PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7789 003712
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