July 5

Local Governments Can Thrive in Hybrid Work: Ways and Resources

Author: Dani Esterline

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Let’s get real and talk about the significant shift toward hybrid and remote work- a lifestyle in which we now have more experience than ever.  In 2020, when the pandemic hit, local governments quickly diverted towards remote work and hybrid work for safety and protection. Now almost two years later, public sectors lean into the hybrid world that creates new challenges and opportunities.

“A 2020 CDG national survey found almost 75 percent of respondents anticipate hybrid work — where employees work from home at least on a part-time basis — will be their long-term model.” (Government Technology)


Local governments have unique responsibilities and the residents that they serve to depend on them for information and assistance. We’re going to dive into ways local governments can reach optimal growth and productivity in a hybrid work style, along with resources that can make working easier and more efficient.

WFH

  • Technology

Hybrid work requires technological modernization to thrive, and organizations must commit to advancements to ensure a positive work environment for local government employees.

“More than 40 percent of employees said they lack essential office supplies at home, and one in 10 don’t have an adequate internet connection to do their job, according to the survey. More than 46 percent said their employer does not help them with remote work expenses.” (Government Technology)

So where do we begin with technological advancements in a hybrid lifestyle? At the forefront, we can recognize the importance of computers and adequate internet connection for working from home, but software plays an integral role in the success of an organization. Cloud-based worker channels and CMS lessen the chance of data loss and provide the opportunity for employees to access resources from anywhere.

Consistent and reliable access to business communication platforms like Teams and Slack can help increase productivity, as well as organization resources that employees are utilizing daily, like websites. 

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  • Organization and Culture

One of the reasons hybrid work has manifested is employee and employer flexibility, and the desire for work-life balance and autonomy. The way that local governments approach organization and culture isn’t going to look the same for everyone. We know it’s important to accommodate employee schedules, and these conversations can be vital to recruiting and maintaining successful staff. Take a look below at the graphic to see if the numbers speak for themselves.

Hybrid Work ebook eRepublic

Image from Government Technology Hybrid Work EBook

“Organizations must rethink their workflows, approvals, and other processes to fit the remote environment.” (McClurkin, senior director for public sector at SAP Concur) Performance structures and check-ins will look different for local government departments and an open-minded outlook will help transition into new ways of measuring success.



  • Work-life harmony
More flexibility and autonomy can cause employees to feel a blur in the separation of responsibilities from work to personal life. Promoting a positive work-life harmony can help employees stay productive and prevent turnover rates. A big proponent of hybrid and remote work comes with boundary placement. It’s important for local gov employees and upper management to communicate expectations about work hours, expectations, projects, and deadlines, and responding to work-related messages.
Personal planning can also help alleviate stress and anxiety.
“Experts recommend using a personal planning tool to improve your productivity. Personal planning tools include planners, calendars, phone apps, wall charts, index cards, pocket diaries, and notebooks. The key is to find one planning tool that works for you and use that tool consistently. ” (Vanderbilt University)

There are apps and resources to help make productivity tracking easier.  “Evernote, Toggl, OneNote, Todoist, and Focus Booster can help you balance your time, track your progress, and remind you to take breaks.” (Vanderbilt University) These tools can be a way to show upper management productivity benchmarks and help keep personal responsibilities afloat.



Bottom Line:
Hybrid work isn’t going anywhere, and utilizing technologies and resources that are meant for work-from-home employees will benefit organizations long term. At Revize, we have over 20 years of experience with local government websites. Our CMS offers an array of resident engagement features and is robust, secure, and cloud-based. The ideal platform for local governments advancing in hybrid or remote work lifestyles. Interested in learning more? Contact us today.

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