Hybrid and Remote Work Etiquette
A Note to Minions:
We’re all hearing it - get back into the office or bust! Companies seem to either relish remote work to the point where it’s okay to go surfing and check-in for a team meeting while in a wetsuit on the beach, or they eschew it and expect all workers to do 100% of their work in the office, no matter what.
What, what about that grey, hybrid area that many mid-level companies and agencies are dancing with? How do non-supervisors keep their credibility that they really can (and do!) work effectively from home without needing rigorous micromanaging?
A little bit of etiquette goes a long way! Checking in with your supervisor or team group in the morning (especially if your work uses Teams or similar chat platforms) goes a loooooong way. “I’m working on these longer-term projects - is there anything more urgent I should dive into?” “I’m on a deadline for these projects and then I can get to that new one you sent me.” “Can we schedule a quick call to talk about upcoming deadlines?”
Just as you would have to do if you were in the physical office, letting your team/supervisor know if you need to take your dog to the vet or if you’re going to be on lunch helps others plan ahead. It also avoids frustration from unanswered messages.
Make sure any work calendars are up to date. Put your projects you’re working on in your calendar so others checking your schedule can see your productivity without having to bother you!
If possible, send your completed projects directly over, don’t just save them to a folder. It’s easy to forget that their team/supervisor isn’t in your head. And no one sees you working hard if you’re working from home. So, if you add notes to a file, complete a project, or put in hard work, make sure you cc or message your hard work to the person who gave you that assignment! Even a brief check-in to demonstrate how diligent you are can go a long way. Then you can enjoy sending those emails from the beach guilt free!
A Note to Supervisors:
Please practice what you preach! If you want your team’s calendars to be up to date, make sure yours is, too. If you request a work-from-home status on their calendar, make sure you add in your status, too. If you’re working from home, check in with your team and let them know how to reach you. Trust can be a two-way street. The more your team sees you following your own protocol, the more they will jump on board. Sometimes rituals become so customary, such as morning greetings, that your team will start to initiate those rituals on their own.