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Poly, HP’s branch for hybrid-working solutions, and Debrett’s, experts on etiquette, have teamed up to offer guidance on correct behaviour when working remotely.
A Debrett’s Guide to the Etiquette of Hybrid Working helps ease the confusion that hybrid work brings by providing tips for correct etiquette when on team calls.
Bill Zeng, senior director, hybrid work solutions and peripherals for APJ at Poly and HP, said: “The shift to hybrid work was so abrupt, we’ve not really taken stock of how our behaviour should change to accommodate this new way of working.
“Should we be amending our behaviour to make hybrid work and hybrid meetings feel more normal? For example, waving at the end of calls or having neutral virtual backgrounds. Thinking about how to make hybrid meetings feel more natural will create an equal meeting experience, whether people are in the room or dialling in from home.”
The guide includes tips for when you’re on video calls, such as:
- Wave goodbye when leaving
- Avoid eating
- Move mess from behind you
- Dress appropriately
- Pay attention to who’s speaking
Mr Zeng continued: “Delivering an equal experience can come down to employers providing staff with the right technology and training. Managers should be trained on how to make hybrid meetings inclusive. And instead of giving everyone the same equipment, organisations should understand how people like to work and collaborate, and the spaces they use – including their home office setup. This can be used to tailor the equipment provided, allowing employees to look their best, be heard, feel included, and avoid distraction, irrespective of where they’re working from.”
There are suggestions for employers that can be found in the guide. While it’s important for them to exhibit appropriate behaviour, Poly said there is also a level of responsibility on the leaders of an organisation to provide their workers with the necessary training, technology, and equipment to work remotely and effectively.
Etiquette adviser at Debrett’s, Liz Wyse, commented: “With people increasingly splitting their time between the office and home, how we conduct ourselves at work has changed drastically. It’s clear that hybrid working offers many benefits, including greater flexibility and a better work/life balance.
“However, that’s not an excuse to let etiquette slip, and standards should stay the same regardless of where you’re working from. What’s the dress code when working from home? How do you eliminate distractions and present a professional façade online? This guide seeks to answer these questions so that both staff and employers can get the most out of a hybrid working arrangement.”
RELATED TERMS
In a hybrid work environment, individuals are allowed to work from a different location occasionally but are still required to come into the office at least once a week. With the phrase "hybrid workplace," which denotes an office that may accommodate interactions between in-person and remote workers, "hybrid work" can also refer to a physical location.
Professionals can use remote work as a working method to do business away from a regular office setting. It is predicated on the idea that work need not be carried out in a certain location to be successful.
Jack Campbell
Jack is the editor at HR Leader.
