A growing number of teams are transitioning to a hybrid workplace setup, where some employees work remotely, some in the office, and some utilize both ways of working. In this diversified workplace environment, it’s easy for employees to take the path of least resistance and communicate less with their supervisors and colleagues.

For employers seeking to encourage communication in an organization that has a hybrid environment, whether to jumpstart effective ways of communicating with staff or between staff members and teams, consider these three tips:

Create Opportunities for Informal Communication for All

Those whose work schedule involves at least some time in the office have chances for spontaneous connections with others in the physical space. Whether walking down the hall and stopping a team member to discuss a meeting or having coffee in front of the building with an employee, the possibility for information exchange is always there.

To facilitate similar circumstances for “chance meetings” like these for employees working remotely, as well as to ensure that, as a manager, you’ll have the opportunity to communicate more informally with those on your team, you’ll need to take extra steps.

Coordinate schedules with those who have some days in and some out of the office, and book a conference room for a snack break, game time, happy hour, or unstructured collaboration time. Tether in those who are working remotely that day, and spend part of the time communicating as a team, sharing information, and just catching up.

Leverage Virtual Breakout Rooms to Stimulate Small-Group Discussion

Discover a better way to recruit remote talent

Founded in 2007, FlexJobs is the most experienced remote & hybrid hiring platform.

• Unlimited job posts
• Low, flat membership fee
• Access top-level remote advice

• Unlimited resume searches
• Reach the right candidates
• And so much more!

Get Started!

While many suffered from Zoom fatigue when videoconferences were one of the only ways to enjoy team communication, one feature that teams likely haven’t maxed out on is the breakout room.

As the manager hosting a Zoom meeting, you have the option to assign virtual meeting participants to these virtual rooms so that they have a chance to talk with a smaller group of their peers, either before, during, or at the end of a meeting.

Some employees, such as introverts, may feel it’s easier to communicate in smaller groups. With fewer people in the room, it’s easier to get a word in edgewise, and participants have a chance to identify commonalities and talk more informally within the more intimate sphere of the breakout room.

Embrace Asynchronous Conversations, But Facilitate Follow-up

With work groups and managers on different schedules per the hybrid model, it’s natural that communication will often take place at different times and feel more fragmented, with questions posed at one time that are not answered until later. Since this way of working has become commonplace and real-time communication isn’t always possible, it’s important to maximize the effectiveness of asynchronous communication.

To do so, encourage employees who are in different locations or on different schedules to build a “response hour” into their daily routine. During this hour, they can circle back with information, answers, and feedback for colleagues who have reached out when they were “off the grid,” ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks. Let employees determine their own preferred way of getting back to people during their response hour rather than mandating that they use a specific communication tool for doing so.

Staying Connected

The hybrid model brings new communication challenges but also creates opportunities to develop multiple information streams that weren’t leveraged in a traditional office environment. By utilizing these steps as a manager and also helping your teams get comfortable with them, you’ll be more likely to foster a connected group environment where everyone stays in the loop.

Distinguish Your Remote (or Hybrid) Workplace Culture >>>

Innovative Ways to Help Teams Connect Remotely