Managing Workplace Culture in a Hybrid Model

Managing Workplace Culture in a Hybrid Model

Managing workplace culture is no easy task, especially if your organization is utilizing a hybrid work model. However, having a well-managed and well-understood company culture is key to attracting and retaining top talent — a challenge that many employers are facing amid the Great Resignation.

In this article, we offer insight on the “what” and “why” behind company culture and provide some key areas of focus organizations should hone in on to better manage their culture in a hybrid setting.

What is company culture?

Company culture is the personality and environment of your organization. Defined by more than just a mission statement or organizational values, it encompasses the unwritten norms of how employees interact with one another. Company culture can be broken into three broad categories: 

1. Social How individuals act and how authority and influence exist between different roles and teams.

2. Material How people in a group make or achieve goals, and the ways people work together.

3. Ideological How values, beliefs and ideals establish how individuals exist and interact.

Company culture has long been associated with the way interactions take place. In the absence of in-person conversations in hybrid workplaces, that same company culture translates through interactions via communication channels such as email, phone, video, employee intranets and more.

Why does a company culture matter?

It’s been proven that employees who identify with and feel a sense of belonging to a company’s culture are more productive and want to work for the company longer. Culture management became more challenging as organizations went partially or fully remote during the pandemic, but regardless of your workplace model, your company’s values and culture give employees a common purpose.

How can you best manage a hybrid workplace culture?

When employers develop their ideal hybrid workplace and return-to-work plan, it may be necessary to shift the organizational culture accordingly. The following are just a few essential elements that should be incorporated in your organizational culture if they’re not already.

Accountability  The pandemic has exposed the need for understanding and empathy in hybrid workplaces as many people live, work and handle schooling and caregiving responsibilities from their homes. But it’s equally important for employers to continue encouraging a culture of accountability. Accountability reminds employees that their work matters and individual work is crucial to team and overall company success.

Communication In a dispersed workplace, employers need to create a plan for how communication will be supported and facilitated. Digital tools, such as company intranets and business communication platforms like Slack or Teams, can help both onsite and remote employees feel involved and able to contribute no matter their location or local time.

Reaching a digitally dispersed workforce requires the use of unique communication strategies. Check out our on-demand webinar to discover how you can cut through the clutter and connect with your hybrid workforce.

Recognition  Hybrid or not, a workplace should prioritize recognition to demonstrate an appreciation for employees and their work. Some employers offer an online destination for employees to receive and submit values-based recognition.


A thoughtful hybrid workplace approach combines the best aspects of an organization’s onsite and remote workplaces and those of the organization’s culture. If you’re looking for more information on how to navigate the challenges of leadership in a unique environment, download our guide, Leading a Hybrid Workforce.

A positive and strong company culture vastly improves retention rates, and when it comes to the hybrid workplace, employers need to be proactive to foster a positive company culture.

Managing Workplace Culture in a Hybrid Model https://www.cbiz.com/Portals/0/defaultImages/advisory_techconsultingsolutions_header.jpg?ver=ZPjz_eCdK9tWGIQpfJtzrA%3d%3dManaging workplace culture is no easy task, especially if your organization is utilizing a hybrid work model. However, having a well-managed and well-understood company culture is key to attracting and retaining top talent — a challenge that many employers are facing amid the Great Resignation. 2022-02-07T20:00:00-05:00

Managing workplace culture is no easy task, especially if your organization is utilizing a hybrid work model. However, having a well-managed and well-understood company culture is key to attracting and retaining top talent — a challenge that many employers are facing amid the Great Resignation.

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