Bex Lee

​Post-lockdown, the new buzzword that has managers debating working style policies is 'Hybrid Working'. But what does it really entail? Is it really suitable for your workplace, and more importantly, your employees? ​What is 'hybrid working'?Hybrid working is a relatively new term, coined to demonstrate different ways of working combined, including:Working in the officeFlexible hours Remote working optionsWorking from homeIt's been born out of companies adjusting to the Covid pandemic and the necessity under government guidelines for business to pivot to digital working and working from home under lockdowns rules. Now as restrictions lift, companies are considering what it means to head back to the office and whether we really want to.According to the ONS, prior to the pandemic around only 5% of UK employees worked from home and a recent report from the CIPD showed that pre-pandemic, 65% of employers did not offer remote working options at all. The report also shows that now 40% of employers expect more than half of their workforce to work regularly from home in the future. ​​Do you employees want hybrid working?The short answer is YES! Positive employee experiences are essential to productivity, reducing staff turnover, diversity and culture. According to Microsoft’s 2021 report, 73% of employees wanted flexible, remote work options, post-lockdown.If you CAN offer options for hybrid working to your employees, whilst maintaining business goals, why wouldn't you? If you're in doubt about its need, conduct an employee survey and ask what options your employees would like.The pandemic has created new employee expectations. It's not just about flexible working anymore, it's about individuals managing their own safety and working in a way that they feel secure and comfortable, and that also respects each others boundaries. If you have a mix of employees that have different health situations, you can't force them to conform to one set scenario. It just won't work. You should care enough about employees wellbeing to invest in hybrid working options and the associated tech to support it. Hybrid working also helps to create better work/life balance for employees who may be suffering from health complications, are working parents or carers, and people with other stressful responsibilities outside of work.​​What are the challenges of hybrid working?Dependant on the type of work you do and how large your teams are, there will be some challenges to offering hybrid working. Here's a few things you need to consider:Some of your roles may not be suitable for remote or hybrid workingKeeping track of everyone - who is working from where and whenEffective management - monitoring productivity, meeting deadlinesCommunication - meetings, group chats, keeping in touch, performance reviewsTraining & Development - better online or in-person? Wellbeing - isolation, new employee onboarding, socialisingTech - resources, hardware, connectivity, costsHow will hybrid working benefit your business?One way hybrid working may benefit you as a leader is in a reduction of office space, work space rental and facilities costs. With a reduction of people in the office, you could reduce the office size, moving savings to other areas of your business. Hybrid working can also hinder the spread of illnesses, (not just limited to Covid), and mean you have a fully functioning and healthy team. Employees suffering from a bad cold may feel well enough to work but don't want to pass germs onto their co-workers, so working from home is a great option. However, the main benefit of introducing hybrid working is a big one. Employee happiness! We all know that happy employees are substantially more productive, making your business more profitable. Flexibility for working styles and personal needs create better work/life balance. This in-turn creates a positive working environment, stronger collaboration, employee loyalty and a reduction in staff turnover. ​How do you implement hybrid working? 1. Policies - Ask yourself whether your policies are long, or short term? Talk with all managers about what will work for their team. Will you still be able to meet customer expectations and continue performing at an optimum level?When implementing hybrid working, it's important to outline very clear policies. Detail the working options available, specify what they mean and what they entail. Also outline what is expected from your employees and what happens if those expectations are not met. You can also offer one to one conversations for special cases. Some roles may not qualify for hybrid or remote working, so it is best to discuss this with anyone affected individually. Once you have a policy outline in place, look at how achievable those policies are utilising your current resources. Are there any obvious holes in your plans? Do you need anything new and what are the costs involved? Ask for feedback from your employees on what they need for working outside of the office. Give careful consideration to the contractual implications of hybrid working, as implementing a new policy can sometimes amount to a formal change to terms and conditions of employment. It is best to run your draft policy past a legal advisor. If you are welcoming people back into the office, make sure you stay up-to-date and comply with Government guidelines and conduct a health and safety risk assessment. ​2. Technology - Many stumbling blocks regarding hybrid working can be overcome by utilising technology. For example - using Zoom and Microsoft Teams, creating an intranet, updating employee communications or incentives, and managing projects in platforms such as Slack and Basecamp. Also think about new employees and how they will be onboarded. How can you make new recruits feel welcomed but also supported if they are not in an office? Make a list of your current tech and tech support, then review and source any new platforms you need.​3. Hardware - It's important you keep on top of your hardware such as laptops, monitors, hard drives etc. Are they all fit for purpose? How will they be assigned and monitored? How often do they need to be checked and updated? Do you have a support company or IT dept. that will be able to manage this? ​4. Performance - With employees being in and out of the office, or working remotely for long periods, performance may be harder to observe and monitor. You may need to shift how you perceive good performance. For example: from employees being at their desk whenever you call, to instead looking at actual outcomes of work and meeting deadlines. Performance reviews and meetings should wherever possible be in person to maintain relationships. ​5. Wellbeing - What are the wellbeing implications for your new policies? Managers should receive training in understanding and spotting potential signs of poor wellbeing and mental health symptoms. Ongoing mental health support and information should be readily available and regularly promoted to all employees. Respect boundaries going forward. Just because someone is now working from home and has the tech to be available at anytime, it does not mean they are now contactable 24/7. Work hours should remain fixed and non urgent contact kept to a minimum outside of those hours. Fairness & inclusivity is also an area of wellbeing to bear in mind. During the pandemic there was a disproportionate impact on ethnic minorities and also with women being much more likely to be both furloughed and undertake childcare responsibilities. Identify areas where inequalities may have developed, or could develop in the future and set out plans to address these. You should also do your best to ensure equality of experience between employees in the office and employees at home and have plans to address any potential conflict. ​​ConclusionIn a few years 'Hybrid Working' could be standard for most companies. Data from OpenSensors shows that 9 out of 10 UK workers want the option to work remotely once offices reopen. Early adopters and tech giants such as Twitter, Facebook and Google, are already offering a variety of hybrid working options. Whilst the future remains unclear, having a choice of flexible options for hybrid working could mean the difference between success and failure for your business. We've seen throughout the pandemic, that companies who embrace hybrid or remote working, digital technology resources and ecommerce, can not only survive but actually thrive!​​We're here to help!Hanover offer solutions to support engagement, remote interviewing and remote onboarding. You're busy helping existing employees and doing your day job, so at Hanover we manage a fast and simple process for you, including:Candidate Engagement - Job Advertising, Interactive Job Descriptions, Content Marketing Video Interviews - Online Video Interviews. Share, shortlist and feedback in a few clicks Remote Onboarding - Data Insights to tailor remote onboarding to individual needsFind out more about our recruitment solutions here!​

​We've gathered some top tips that will help you master working from home. In this blog we suggest ways to improve productivity, motivation and mental health...According to a new survey by Nuffield Health, 80% of Brits feel that working from home has negatively impacted their mental health. Over a third (36%) said that not being in the same physical location as their colleagues has left them feeling unable to take set breaks as they feel a need to always be available or at their workstation. In June 2020 the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that 7.4 million of us have reported feelings of loneliness negatively impacting their wellbeing since lockdown began. 30% of people working from home also highlighted the issue of work/life balance, stating difficulties in separating their work and home lives. 27% reported difficulty in switching off at the end of the day and 34% believe working from home has put a strain on their immediate relationships. ​1. MotivationCreate a routineThe easiest change to make in order to feel motivated is to get into a routine. Throughout the work week, try to get up at the same time everyday and go to bed at the same time every day. This has a positive impact on getting a good night's sleep and how you'll feel in the morning. ​Get dressedIf you're working from home and you have no scheduled video calls, then it can be tempting to stay in your pyjamas. However, if you get up, take a shower and get dressed, you'll feel a lot more motivated and less groggy. ​Go outside Simple but effective. If you used to walk to work in the mornings, replicate it with a walk around the block. Or set 15mins of your lunch hour aside for a relaxing stroll. Taking in gentle exercise and fresh air means that the oxygen levels in your blood go up, circulating to your brain, helping you feel energised and it also lowers blood pressure. ​Musical soundtrackUse music effectively to motivate you. If you had music playing in the office and it impacted your energy levels, then replicate it at home. If you are effected by things like tempo and volume, match your music to your task for maximum effect! If you live with others, you can always use headphones so they won't be disturbed and you can shut out unwanted noise. ​10 minute ruleWe often feel demotivated when we have to a task we don't want to. It's that thing you've simultaneously been putting off but also can stop thinking about having to do. If you're facing this scenario, implement the 10 minute rule. Tell yourself that you only have to work on the dreaded task for 10 minutes. Then, after the 10 minutes you can take a break and come back to it later or just continue on if you're in the flow. ​​​​2. ProductivityWorkspaceIn order to be productive you need a good workspace. Create a dedicated work area, if possible away from the area where you sleep, as having the two collide can cause negative associations. Set up somewhere bright and airy and make sure the set up is comfortable with a suitable chair and desk height. Make your workspace inspiring, with artwork or items that make you happy or promote feelings of drive and success. ​Cohabitant communicationYou can't be productive with chaos around you. Many people are facing childcare issues at home and have partners or friends who are also working from home. To limit distractions and interruptions, you need to communicate with the people you live with about how you work. Discuss your schedule, each morning or once a week, so others understand your expectations or needs and also discuss how you can manage shared tasks. ​Positive schedulingEveryone works differently so create a schedule that works for you. If you know you are more productive in the morning, then schedule your harder/more demanding tasks then. Where possible, work in small blocks of time and take regular, set breaks so you don't feel overwhelmed. ​Facetime and accountabilityRemember you're not in this alone. Make sure you keep in touch with colleagues and your manager regularly. This allows you to feel more supported and part of a team, whilst also ensuring that you're focusing on business priorities. Where possible use video chat! Also agree any strategies for your workload with your line manager, including regular check ins and deadlines, so you can remain focused and accountable. ​Training Where possible, include time in your work day (not on top of it) for professional development and training. Learning new skills or conversing with peers in your industry can inspire new ideas and boost productivity. Discuss online courses and webinars you feel are relevant with your manager and once completed, share your findings or new skills with your team. ​​​3. Mental HealthBe kind to yourself2020 was a difficult year and even if you think you haven't faced as much upheaval as others around you, it's ok to not be ok. It's ok to acknowledge that you're struggling and that you may need help or support. There are resources and contact information available at the end of this blog. Look for ways to be kind to yourself and promote positive feelings. Exercise, hydration, meditation, and even creating a gratitude list are simple but effective ways of promoting well-being and positivity. Recognise when you need some downtime and book some time off work to relax and regroup. If you feel that you need more help, please speak with your manager (or a colleague you feel comfortable with) about how your employer can support you, or what professional help is available. ​What's within your control?The past year has had an impact of mental well-being in part because it's been just so unpredictable! With many things feeling beyond your control, it's common to have feelings of anxiety. Focus on what you CAN control instead. Think about positive changes you can make to how you work, to your living space or activities you can enjoy with immediate loved ones. ​Learning to say noIf you feel tied to your computer or you're struggling with your workload, discuss it with your manager and sketch out new structures, support techniques and coping mechanisms. Just because you now work from home, doesn't mean your home is now a 24/7 office. Don't be afraid to say no, finish work on time or push back on projects that you feel would be overwhelming. Learning how to, and when to, say no is not a bad thing. Setting healthy boundaries is a good step towards overall well-being and self care. ​Maintain connectionsWhether it's work colleagues, friends or family, try your best to maintain your connections as they can be a huge support. It's important not to become isolated, so even if you don't feel like having an in-depth conversation, it's good to regularly check in with the people in your life who can enhance your mood. They may also need your support!​Give backHelping others is a great way to feel better in yourself. If you have some spare time, look for ways you can volunteer. This could be helping deliver items, providing friendly support for people who are alone or even offer your skills and experience to those who are struggling with something you're an authority on. Mentoring is also a great way to pass on experience and build confidence in others. You could also make, or do, something thoughtful for friends, family, first responders or essential workers. ​Wellness planIf you are a manager or responsible for other colleagues, remember to check in and just ask people how they are and if/how you can help. There are lots of resources online and Mind offer a 'Wellness Plan' to help promote positive mental health and wellbeing. It includes advice and activities to identify areas where you may be struggling and actions you can take to combat issues.​Promote access to help Resources should be readily available so that people can independently seek help as well. Create a dedicated area within your employee platform with resources such as links to support services, remote therapy options, tips and articles etc. Here's a few links you may find useful:Coronavirus Isolation: Supporting yourself and your colleagues Mind: Coronavirus and your wellbeingLeapers: Coronavirus and Working From HomeSupporting Your Mental Health While Working From Home​​​Hiring for your team?At Hanover we offer remote recruitment solutions, including candidate engagement, video interviewing and remote onboarding, so you can continue to hire the best digital and tech talent! Find out more about how we can support you here!​

With many more people looking for a new job, it's important that you stand out to employers and recruiters. Here's our top tips for getting the most out of your job search and applications...​1. Re-energise Your CVYes, no one really enjoys working on their CV but we all know how important a good CV is and how it can impact whether or not you're invited for an interview. Create a standard template of your CV and then tailor new versions for each role you apply for, using the job advert as a guide for what to include and what will interest the recipient. It might seem like a lot of work to produce multiple CV versions, but once you have a template the changes should be minimal and it makes a big difference to your application. You don't have to produce a boring Word document CV, there are plenty of free or premium platforms you can use that provide templates. One of our favourites is canva.comHere's a few points to get started:​Style and FormatKeep it clean and simpleToo much info can make it look cluttered and hard to readUse 'easy to read' font types and keep a good amount of white spaceIt should reflect your personal style and the industry you want to work in (creative or corporate?)​LayoutYour name and job role description should be at the topAdd a personal statement and a short bullet point list of your strongest skillsPut work experience first, followed by education details, then add interests or extra achievementsMake sure your contact details are clear and correct​Personal StatementThink about your unique selling points: skills, characteristics, experience or abilitiesMake it engaging, truthful and interestingIt should communicate who you are, what motivates you and what you want in a roleKeep it between 50 – 100 words​ContentInclude relevant keywords detailing skills and platforms you useUse active words to represent initiative but avoid clichésReview the job specifications and use this to refer to your relevant skills Highlight your greatest success in each role or include statsInclude links to your profiles, blogs, websites or design portfolios​Review & EditIt's crucial you thoroughly proofread your final version!Ensure it’s easy to read and free of spelling mistakesPass it to a friend to proofread and for feedback2. Online Presence & Personal BrandYou will be Googled! Employers will research prospect candidates online, especially within the digital or tech industries where it is expected that you will have an online presence. If someone researches you, what will they find? It's a good idea to review all your existing social media profiles and set your personal profiles to private. Log in to each platform individually and review settings, so you can control what appears, both within the platform and outside of it in public searches. Make sure your profile pictures are professional, consistent and up to date as these are the elements most likely to be public and easily searchable. Consistency is key, so make sure what you say on your CV is reflected on professional profiles such as LinkedIn. If not, employers will start to question your authenticity. Here's a quick video with everything you need to know...​​​​3. Your LinkedIn Profile Having an up to date and interesting LinkedIn profile is key for attracting employers and recruiters. You want to include all the relevant information from your CV but structure this in a clear and accessible way, whilst also taking advantage of the extra options LinkedIn offers. Here's how to get started...​Show your open to new opportunitiesIf you’re looking for a job, you can let recruiters and your network on LinkedIn know you’re open to new job opportunities. To enable the #OpenToWork feature, click the 'Me' icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage and click 'View profile'. Click the 'Add profile section' button to the right of your profile photo. Click 'Intro' and then click 'Looking for job opportunities'. Provide the requested information in the pop-up window that appears. You can choose whether all LinkedIn members or only recruiters can see that you’re open to job opportunities. If you choose to share with all LinkedIn members, LinkedIn add an #OpenToWork photo frame to your profile photo. Then just click 'Add to Profile'. You can also click 'Get started' from the 'Show recruiters you’re open to work' box near the top of your LinkedIn Profile to access this feature.​It’s called a 'Headline' for a reasonYour headline doesn’t have to be your job title. Instead, use it to showcase your speciality, your achievements and ensure you use relevant keywords so your profile is more likely to show up in searches.​Get a custom URLIt’s much easier to publicise your profile with a customized URL. When you sign up, LinkedIn will assign you a url, usually part of your name and then a string of numbers. It looks much better to have something more relevant.  Click the 'Me' icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage. Click 'View profile'. Click 'Edit public profile & URL' in the right rail. You’ll be redirected to the Public profile settings page.Under Edit your custom URL in the right rail, click the Edit icon next to your public profile URL. It'll be an address that looks like www.linkedin.com/in/yourname. Type the last part of your new custom URL in the text box. Click Save.​Choose the right profile photoChoose a clear, friendly, and professional image. Research other profiles to get an idea of the look and feel you want. Match it to your company, or reflect the industry that you work in. Photos of speaking at events always rate highly.​Utilise your 'About' sectionCreate one or two sentences that communicate who you are, your passions, your skills and your goals. You can use this area to showcase your uniqueness and maybe include some key accomplishments. Update this area regularly as you progress professionally. ​Think about the numbersTo ensure you stand out, don’t just talk about your work history and responsibilities, make sure you include tangible examples of your achievements. Include stats on campaigns, deadlines you met, performance targets you exceeded etc. It’s great to say that you are successful but it’s even better to provide hard evidence of that success.​Add rich media and linksMake your LinkedIn profile a visual treat. Add videos, visuals, images, infographics and links to your website, projects or blogs. It makes a big difference in engaging viewers and gives you an edge over your competitors. Include a video CV, which we'll guide you through later in this blog!​Don't forget the extrasAdd all the extras that make you stand out, including projects, volunteer experiences, mentoring and any languages you speak. It showcases you as a well-rounded person and makes a profile more personable.​RecommendationsContact your connections and actively ask for recommendations. These are 'social proof' and a third party validation of your claims about skills and experiences. Former colleagues who you worked well with are the best candidates to offer you a glowing review.​Post Status Updates and BlogsMake sure you create status updates regularly, showing you're an active user. Post links to news, video or useful information, that is relevant to your industry so you are up to date with current events. Utilise the blogging capabilities on LinkedIn by writing a post on an area of your expertise. Your connections will be notified each time you post, and this creates more exposure.​4. Create A Video Profile/CVCreating a video version of your CV or a short video profile is a great way to stand out and show off your digital skills. Many companies are now turning to video to find the perfect person for their job and 89% of hiring managers would rather watch a video than read a CV!They're a great opportunity to discuss your achievements in more detail and demonstrate your communication abilities. Here's a few tips on creating a great video profile...​Before you startResearch the company you want to join and the role you're applying for thoroughly. You need a good understanding of their brand and culture in order to create a video that mirrors what they are looking for. Use the job advert to pick out points to discuss and think about examples you can give about previous experience such as communication skills, conflict resolution, working to deadlines etc. ​Keep the content simpleYou don't want to create a video more than a minute long, attention starts to drift! Firstly introduce yourself, give your name, current job title and mention the role you're interested in. Then talk in general about your skills and experience across the industries you've worked in, before giving specific real life examples of why you'd be an excellent fit for the role. Mention a few accomplishments or stats that showcase your successes. Next state that you'd love to work with them, complimenting their culture, mission etc which shows you've done your homework and that you identify with their core values. Finish with a call to action, such as 'I hope this video gave you some good insight into my experience and what I could bring to your team, I'd love to be considered for the role. You can find my contact details in my CV, attached along with this video. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.'​Filming your videoFirstly, test your laptop or mobile camera and microphone. You want a good quality video with excellent resolution. Next, think about location. Find somewhere you won't be disturbed and notify family or housemates that you need peace and quiet, as background noises will be distracting. Find a minimal background, maybe a plain wall or somewhere without clutter and make sure you have good lighting. Check your camera angles, do you want to be standing or sitting? Position the camera for a clear and proportioned head and shoulders shot. Dress the part. You want to make a good first impression. Dress as if you were going for a face to face interview. Think about the seniority level of the role and dress according to the culture of the company. Make sure your appearance is fresh and tidy.Practise discussing points you want to cover, you'll need a few attempts before you get a video you're happy with. Remember to make eye contact with the camera as it means you are actually making eye contact with the viewer. Try not to look at any notes off-screen too often, as this can be distracting. Remember to smile and be enthusiastic to convey your interest!​We'll coach you!If you work with Hanover, we help you create a video profile or video interview that will be sent to potential employers. It's much easier when you have another person to converse with and prompt you with questions you know how to answer. Here's how it works...​​​Help and Advice Many people are now facing, and adapting, to new ways of working. At Hanover, we are dedicated to supporting both our clients and candidates with tech-focused solutions so they can overcome current challenges.If you want to know more about how Hanover can help you, head over to our homepage!Join our network of contractors working on exciting projectsOr check out our featured jobs