As post-pandemic life becomes our new normal, we’re all considering how we embrace the changes the past few years have brought to our daily work life. As BCRA has embraced the hybrid work environment, we, like everyone else, are learning how to strike a balance between remote work and in-office collaboration. We know that this new rhythm is essential for our overall success and well-being because it brings both flexibility and community to foster collaboration, creativity, and cohesion.
Over the course of the last year, we have been encouraging our team members to leverage their benefits for mental and physical health support while also cherishing the unique opportunities that in-office days provide. Why? Because…
By permitting team members to complete their work in conditions that inspire them while providing an office space that fosters collaboration and community among colleagues—or just a structured place to focus—BCRA has made a commitment to giving that balance to the members of their staff. After all, healthy humans make ideal team members, and encouraging that is simply the right thing to do.
As a firm, we’ve identified several benefits of a hybrid work environment. If you’d like your company to jump on board, feel free to share this with your boss to get the conversation started.
The hybrid work environment grants team members the flexibility to design a work routine that supports their well-being. Remote workdays provide the freedom to create an environment that enhances focus and productivity, allowing them to tailor their schedule to their individual needs while still being present for team and/or client meetings. By embracing the autonomy and freedom that remote work offers, they provide themselves with the space to thrive and achieve a healthy work-life balance.
All team members bring a variety of communication styles and individualized ideal work environments. By giving the option for staff to work remotely, companies are telling diverse team members that not only their unique skills but also their unique personalities are welcome and celebrated. Consequently, these team members may feel empowered to show up as their full selves. Because staff members with disabilities or who are otherwise part of a marginalized group of individuals are more likely to work from home for a variety of social, cultural, and practical reasons, companies can attract a more diverse workforce by offering remote work.
While remote work provides flexibility, in-office days hold immense value in fostering collaboration, creativity, and cohesion within teams. Coming together physically allows for spontaneous conversations, brainstorming sessions, and face-to-face interactions that often lead to innovative ideas and creative solutions in design processes. By capitalizing on in-office days, companies like ours enhance their ability to collaborate, share knowledge, and build strong working relationships.
“We have been doing monthly interior team days to bring everyone together and provide opportunities to have those in-person connections. This has been invaluable to elevate our culture and support one another successfully in and outside of the office.” ~ Lori Robbin, Principal, Interior Design
The office environment plays a crucial role in nurturing a sense of community, connectivity, and togetherness among team members. In-office days offer opportunities for impromptu conversations, team-building activities, delicious treats (who doesn’t love root beer float days and happy hours?), and shared experiences that help build trust and strengthen bonds, while virtual meetings and consistent online communication allows team members to interact and connect with staff members in another location or who are not in the office, which can also foster deeper connections. By cultivating a supportive and inclusive hybrid work culture, companies can create an environment where everyone feels connected, valued, and inspired to do their best work.
Striking a healthy balance between work and personal life enables each team member to bring their best self to the office and enhance their overall satisfaction and fulfillment. In the hybrid work environment, work/life balance and self-care remain fundamental to everyone’s well-being. Companies should embrace the flexibility of remote work to allocate time for self-care activities, whether it’s practicing mindfulness, pursuing hobbies, or spending quality time with loved ones, and strive to be a place where people feel like they are supported. BCRA has made this one of our goals. By prioritizing each staff member’s holistic well-being, both in and out of the office, companies can cultivate a positive work/life integration that enhances their team members’ overall happiness and productivity.
Team members love environments where they can show up in ways that feel most authentic to them. This allows them the space to contribute meaningfully to the work of their company, and the company then benefits in increased productivity and more satisfied staff. These team members are then motivated to do their best work, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Navigating the hybrid work environment involves appreciating the benefits of both flexibility and in-office collaboration. By leveraging the flexibility of remote work, encouraging staff to prioritize their well-being, and promoting in-office days, BCRA aims to continue to create valuable opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and community. We’ve learned a lot over the past few years as hybrid and remote work has become the new normal, and we aren’t the experts in hybrid work, by any means. But alongside our staff, we are striving to create a work environment that embraces the best of both worlds, enabling our team members to flourish and achieve remarkable success together.
