What exactly does “hybrid” mean?

To define hybrid work is such a confusing feat because everyone’s hybrid setup is different, and sometimes, it can vary by week. For some companies, “hybrid work” means that people are allowed to go back into the office, but for the most part, no one does, and everyone continues working from home. This also means that all employees are on particular hybrid work schedules, but they’re required to come into the office at least two days per week.

For the most part, “hybrid transitions” have come down to whether or not employers are picking up what their employees are putting down, so to speak. Workers have made it extraordinarily clear that if they can’t work from home they won’t be working at all, and management is on the opposite side of things, clamoring for a return to work as soon as possible. The compromises formed then manifest in each organization’s variation of “hybrid work,” and going hybrid has almost become a barometer for company culture.

This functions on both macro and micro levels, as one’s firm could demand one thing while their manager demands another, further confusing things. According to the Workgeist Report, up to 52% of employees say that the measurements for tracking their performance are different depending on the department that’s taking those measurements. It’s hard to argue that there’s a unified objective definition of where your company wants to go when you can barely assess where you’re at, and though your company can measure growth, productivity, and sales, it can be difficult to attribute that to any particular facet of the work environment, like the location of your desk.

It’s also important to note that if sales and growth are down, it could be because of the company’s environment, and we all know that there’s nothing worse for workplace morale than forcing employees to do something they all hate, like going back into the office. The ideal definition of hybrid work is supposed to be the integration of all the good parts of work, like collaboration, socialization, and consistency, without all the parts they hate, like fixed hours, fixed uniforms, and hours sitting at a desk in front of a computer like an automaton.

But the legitimate and realistic definition of hybrid work is that you go into the office when your boss wants you to (even if they never want you to) for reasons they’ve deemed to be logical.

Defining “hybrid work” all by yourself

Now that we’re gotten a sense of what hybrid means and what working means, we can sandwich them together, and figure out where to go from there. It’s been a long and depressing road filled with busy work, miscommunications and misalignment. But don’t worry, hope is not lost if you find yourself entrenched in hybrid work for the next few months.

First, you need to break down what a day in the office would look like for you, and if it would truly cure all of your work woes. Will you have what you need to do your job without taking hours of your day spelunking for information deep within the productivity apps your company uses? Will you be on the same laptop, using the same unintegrated apps, feeling just as flustered as you did at home? Or will you be able to turn to a co-worker and ask for help – that is, if they’re scheduled on the same day as you?

Let’s say your job does open up the office, and tell people that they can come if in they feel so inclined. Don’t take the easy way out, and work from home just because your pajamas are comfortable. This is the perfect time for you to put on your metaphorical scientific lab gear and prepare yourself for an experiment.

Find the three to five people you work with the most, whether they’re on your team or not. People in this category would be those who you message the most, those with who you have the best work relationships or those who provide you the most tech support. Get all these people in a group chat, and plan to all be scheduled on the same day. See how this impacts your workflow, your ability to complete projects and your attitude around communication. Do you feel better after a day at the office, or do you feel like you just did the same things you do at home?

Use this experience to inform your personal hybrid work schedule. If a boss says that you don’t need to come to work, don’t be satisfied with that answer. Figure it out on your own – because if hybrid work means something different to every team, every company and every department, it should mean something different to you as well. Remember: there’s only one way to find out how you can achieve greatness during in-person work, going to the office! You might feel more focused in the office, and it might also be easier to problem-solve, brainstorm, and bond with people from different departments. Bottom-line, the goal is to find balance with your new hybrid setup.

Now, picture this other scenario where most of your company opted to return to the office and you are the only remote worker on your team. You must include yourself in meetings and other activities to reduce feelings of isolation and to participate in important business decisions (especially if you are a woman). When working from home, take advantage of your solo time, create and test out different routines, and make it flexible! But also share your experience and productivity tips with other colleagues. Someone in your team or organization might feel pressured to be at the office just because they don’t know how to ask a manager to work remotely; hearing about your experience can encourage them to take action and change their hybrid work schedule.