Challenges of Hybrid Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Navigating the challenges of remote work in business requires a thoughtful approach to ensure productivity and employee well-being. Addressing issues such as communication barriers, maintaining team cohesion, and implementing effective project management tools are crucial. Additionally, businesses must prioritize cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information in a decentralized work environment. Balancing flexibility with accountability, providing proper technology support, and fostering a strong organizational culture can contribute to a successful transition to remote work.

Read the article on the challenges of hybrid work, discover strategies to overcome them, and prepare to respond to the questions that follow.

https://trainingindustry.com/articles/remote-learning/5-challenges-of-a-hybrid-workplace-and-how-to-overcome-them/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the phrase “growing pains” mean? “A hybrid model comes with its share of challenges or growing pains, even as the world settles into this new normal.”. Use the phrase in a sentence.
2. What does the expression “the thread that binds something” mean. “Communication is the thread that binds the two sides in a hybrid model.” Give 2 similar expressions and use it in a sentence.
3. Explain the phrase “across the board“. “For instance, Salesforce has created a digital HQ, which provides its employees with a single source of information and knowledge sharing that helps them securely co-create, access data, collaborate and unite teams across the board.”. Give 2 similar expressions and write a sample sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can organizations strike a balance between the benefits of remote work and the need for in-person collaboration to ensure productivity and employee satisfaction?
2. In a hybrid work model, how can companies effectively address communication challenges to ensure seamless collaboration among teams, whether working remotely or in-office?
3. Do you personally prefer the flexibility of remote work, or do you value the in-person collaboration offered by the traditional office setting? Explain.
4. As organizations navigate a mix of in-person and remote work, how can they effectively socialize and integrate new employees into the company’s culture, especially when physical presence is limited?
5. What communication tools or apps do you find most effective in bridging the gap between remote and in-office teams, and how have they impacted your work experience?