Hybrid working: 5 ways we make it work

At TTC, The Travel Vault, and Stonecot Trustees, hybrid working has always been part of our routine. This approach blends working from home and at a Work.Life office in Liverpool Street, London. 

Over the past couple of years we’ve tried a few different options to make the hybrid model work, but we’ve found that Work.Life suits us at the moment as it’s a friendly co-working space that offers hot desks and private offices. It’s also a B Corp so we’re in good company! 

But hybrid working comes with challenges. Like, how to reap the benefits of flexibility without losing the collaborative spirit when we’re not in the office? Here’s how we’ve made it work for us

1. An onboarding process designed for team integration

When we welcome team members, we make sure they have a smooth and transitional onboarding process, which we recently revamped with hybrid working in mind. On their first day, new joiners head into the office to meet everyone and get set up on their laptops. They receive their welcome pack and start inductions with the entire team. This allows them to feel instantly integrated and involved, so if they’re not seeing everyone in person right away, they’re still getting to know them virtually.

2. Weekly meetings and regular check-ins

Zoom plays a crucial role in our hybrid setup. On Monday mornings, we hold a company-wide meeting to plan for the week. Additionally, a team member presents their current project or task, keeping everyone informed about ongoing work. We also have regular individual catch-ups across the business to make sure everyone keeps in touch throughout the week, either over Zoom or in person.

When it’s time for a break, we often get together for a virtual or in-person cuppa to catch up.

3. Active and engaging Slack channels

We rely on Slack channels to stay connected daily. Our channels are organised by topics such as sustainability, wellbeing, shoutouts, and events. We also have specific channels for individual projects. This structure helps us keep up with updates, share ideas, and engage in light-hearted discussions, like predicting the winner of The Traitors.

4. Regular Lunch and Learns and team socials

Every month, our whole team comes together for an in-person “Lunch and Learn” session. In the morning, we dive into training on topics like ED&I, risk management, finance for non-finance professionals, and core skills. These sessions foster interaction and idea-sharing. 

Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, which provides a perfect opportunity to catch up and socialise. Additionally, we host an annual team trip that lasts a couple of days. We’ve been to Porto, Brussels, and Switzerland previously, and we’ve also stayed on UK soil a few times. 

These trips provide time away from the office to unwind and get to know each other better in an informal environment.

5. Fun and engaging team challenges

To keep things lively, we introduce team challenges that encourage friendly competition. This year, our “Move for Your Mind” campaign and “Plastic Free July Bingo” have boosted team spirit and supported charitable causes and initiatives we care about.

At TTC, The Travel Vault, and Stonecot Trustees, hybrid working is a core part of our culture but we will continue evolving the way we work to support our team’s success and wellbeing.

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