Hushed hybrid is a workplace phenomenon sweeping the nation, involving some of the UK’s biggest companies such as Barclays, Tesco and Dell Technologies. However, HR managers warn hushed hybrid encourages insubordination and could lead to isolation if team members are not treated equally. Here, Kristian Torode, director and co-founder of specialist IT services provider Crystaline, explains how investing in suitable telecommunications systems can help your business avoid the trend’s consequences.

Though the pandemic saw a shift towards remote working, companies across the UK have announced return to office (RTO) orders in recent months. Rebelling against these mandates, managers are hushing up hybrid work by secretly allowing part or all of their team to work flexibly. As well as jeopardising team morale, company culture and respect, this trend shows executives are out of step with what motivates their workforce.

Hushed hybrid or warning siren?

Hidden behind the cover-up of hushed hybrid, UK employees are screaming for workplace changes. In fact, only ten per cent of workers in the UK are engaged at work, found Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 report. Something needs to change but forcing RTO orders is not the solution, especially given the benefits that flexible working grants employees.

Hybrid working affords people a better work-life balance, saves time and money due to reduced commuting, and increases productivity in the quiet of home offices. However, sustaining a hybrid work model can prove tricky for businesses because not all employees have the adequate internet and phone facilities at home. So, how can you get around this?

Connecting your business

Fast and reliable internet connectivity is essential for optimal working conditions. A scalable solution for creating a broadband network that spans office and home locations is Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA). To minimise costs, SoGEA offers a fast fibre-based internet connection through a dedicated broadband line. This bypasses the need to install a phone line or pay for line rental, as would be required for traditional broadband set-up.

For businesses looking to guarantee reliable internet connection both at the office and at employees’ homes, SoGEA is a cost-efficient solution that provides unlimited usage and speeds of up to 80 megabits without complicated installation or high charges. Businesses

can quickly and easily get their employees set up with speedy internet at home, making loading symbols and lagging calls a thing of the past.

Crystaline is an independent provider of SoGEA, meaning you only need to contact one supplier to get dedicated broadband at a low price.

Multiple locations, one phone system

You might be reluctant to allow employees to work from home because you want to ensure they are reachable by phone. However, with an integrated phone system, both internal communication and customer service are seamless, no matter where your employees are.

Gone are the days when employees had to remain in the office to make and receive calls with their business phone number. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services allow users to make calls using an internet connection rather than a phone line. Using a hosted VoIP system, businesses can allow employees to work anywhere with an internet connection as long as they have their device, be it a computer, handset or mobile phone.

Like SoGEA, VoIP is easy to manage and scale up as your business grows because it does not require expensive hardware to set up. Extensions can simply be added and removed at the click of a button, allowing your phone system to grow in line with your business.

Crystaline can support your business in establishing a flexible model that works for both you and your employees. With the appropriate broadband and phone services, a hybrid working model can be fully embraced, not hushed up.

Crystaline offers a range of business communication and voice services that can help your business ensure employees can do their best work, no matter where they are. To find out more, please get in touch to book a free consultation.