What we did
Before jumping to solutions, we wanted to get a clear picture of what was working well and what wasn’t. To do that, the team held a series of discovery workshops to fully understand the key issues, concerns, challenges and opportunities from different perspectives. Workshops were held with Culture Committee employee representatives and with leaders from across the organisation.
What quickly became clear was that a one size fits all set of hybrid working guidelines wouldn’t work for a workforce ranging from biosecurity specialists to scientists in labs to the professional services teams based at head office.
Instead, the Reputation team created a set of practical and simple guidelines and tips which set out the core principles and expectations, and which each branch team can easily customise based on their culture and operating rhythm.
Results
There was broad agreement that the handbook offers consistency and helpful guidance about some of the essential aspects of “how to do” hybrid work. This includes practical tips for running effective hybrid meetings, communicating and connecting well within teams and remote onboarding of new employees.
Finding the right hybrid approach for any business can feel like a challenging and messy process, especially when the external environment is constantly changing. As the Bastion team found through the Agriculture Victoria work though, it’s possible (and important!) to share clear guidance with employees, to give them clarity about the new norms and expectations in a very changed working landscape.