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How to maintain company culture in a flexible office environment

The way in which we work has changed dramatically in recent years. Working from home was once seen as an occasional privilege that only a small number of businesses seemed to honour. Nowadays, a flexible working culture is something that we have come to expect. The Covid-19 pandemic saw a huge shift in how we work, and businesses were left with no choice but to relax their rules about coming into the office. The freedom to work from home has proven to be a game-changer for so many people, in particular busy parents longing for more time with their children. However, the flexible office environment isn’t without its flaws.

One of the biggest concerns that businesses are facing is a decline in company culture. In some cases, employees are working remotely for the majority of the week, which can have a huge impact on those all-important coworker relationships and camaraderie on the team as a whole.

Once upon a time, work was a place in which colleagues would not only do their job, but socialise, too. For some, the opportunity to come into the office offers some much-needed respite from home life, and the opportunity to chat with colleagues and friends is something to be cherished.

So, where is the ‘happy medium’? And how can companies look to maintain their company culture in a flexible office environment? We’ve got everything you need to know right here.

8 top tips for maintaining company culture in a flexible work environment

1. Establish clear company policies and communicate these to staff

In order to operate a functional and successful working policy, it’s essential that expectations are communicated from the outset and that all staff are treated fairly, irrespective of their seniority or job role.

2. Embrace the perks of modern technology

The likes of Microsoft Teams and Slack mean that we are able to stay in touch with our colleagues throughout the working day, and while there shouldn’t be an expectation to chat consistently from 9am-5pm, it’s good to check in on staff members to help maintain a strong rapport.

3. Organise virtual social events

If Friday is a day in which the team all work from home, why not organise a quiz or other virtual team building event that you can all partake in online?

4. Celebrate personal and professional achievements

Be it a work promotion, a hugely successful campaign or otherwise, flexible working shouldn’t interfere with celebrating our co-workers’ wins. Taking the time to acknowledge achievements doesn’t have to remain on a professional level, either. The likes of fundraisers and charity events are all things to shout about!

5. Make the effort to organise in-person get-togethers

Even if staff work from home for the majority of the time, it’s important to meet up every once in a while to build and maintain those work relationships. Lunches, dinners and coffee meets can be kept inexpensive and will keep a strong sense of togetherness on the team.

6. Build a results-driven working environment

It’s important to remember that even if a staff member comes into the office every day, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are doing more or achieving greater things than their coworker who only comes in on a Tuesday and a Thursday. Instead of homing in on how often staff members turn up to the office, focus on their achievements.

7. Have faith in your employees

A lack of trust in your employees can be incredibly damaging and ultimately, create a very toxic and unpleasant work environment. It’s vital that you have faith in your employees and that you trust them to do their job to the best of their abilities whether they’re in the office or at home. Having trust in your employees will make them feel respected and will encourage them to continue doing a great job.

8.Communicate concerns calmly and respectfully

If you have outlined clear expectations and a staff member is failing to meet these expectations, take the time to speak with the employee on an empathetic level to determine what the issue is and how it can be resolved. There are many different reasons for which a staff member could be underperforming at work, and it’s vital that senior staff are sensitive to these matters.