Work Smart-Hybrid Working

"<< Background >>It's evident that a major change is taking place in how existing and future employees view the world of work. When it comes to attracting and retaining top personnel, a large payment is no longer enough. The priorities have shifted and a growing desire for greater work-life balance has emerged. However, the transition to a hybrid workplace model can fail or bring negative consequences if there is a lack of technological tools and operational requirements, the absence of clear and effective communication as well as a convergence of mindsets and goals between management and staff personnel. Therefore, it is necessary for organisations to spend time and valuable resources updating employee training and policy communication.This new hybrid working model, that is being implemented throughout Europe, requires Managers and employees to develop new tools and competences (and a different mindset) and as there is currently no ‘manual’, or training, for Managers or employees to guide them during this transition this WORKSMART project addresses these issues. Managers and employees will need to rethink workflow, supervision, motivation, human relations, trust, conflict management, training, and growth.<< Objectives >>Our major objective was to develop a set of support materials for staff working from home, and their Managers, and concentrated on the issues of (i) technology (ii) staff welfare and (iii) how to manage staff working from home e.g., to keep those staff working from home as healthy and productive as possible.<< Implementation >>As per the application the Partners undertook activities described to achieve the desired and expected outputs. To ensure the overall long-term project objectives will be achieved a series of extra activities (over and above those expected were developed. For example – only 4-6 self-assessments were envisaged at the outset but as a result of discussions with stakeholders 16 were finally developed.Given the interactive nature of the elements that make up the project e.g., training Modules, self-assessments, Manager Handbook, a chat room, a Members Forum, a members document exchange, online mentoring opportunities, a training provider database and an updated Resources page they were grouped together and included in the TRAINING & SUPPORT ePLATFORM (developed under WP4).<< Results >>1.A general Handbook and Staff Training Programme was developed that will support Managers and detail the steps they need to take to allow their workforce to work from home effectively. (a copy of the Handbook is attached at ANNEX 2)2.A series of Self-Assessments Tools was developed to include such things as ‘assessing emotional intelligence’, ‘assessing active listening skills’, understanding ‘how and where you should place your time and effort e.g., ‘time Management’ and ‘motivation’. This process will allow the participants to have a better understanding of themselves and their working styles. (a screenshot of the self – assessments are attached at ANNEX 3)3.An online Training Programme aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of the new ‘work from home workforce’.as remote working creates a significant number of new organizational, personal, and technological challenges (a screenshot of the training programme is attached at ANNEX 4)4.Project Partners developed an online Support ePlatform that is ""single port of call"" for Managers and staff that are already working from home or are considering working from home. (a screenshot of the ePlatform entrance page are attached at ANNEX 5)"