Hello Tanja, emmtrix introduced a hybrid work model. Can you tell me why?

As we are in constant competition with other companies for qualified specialists, we would like to enable our employees to be flexible and thus increase our attractiveness as an employer. Various studies show that many employees would like to return to the office after the pandemic, but not full-time. We expect an increase in productivity when employees have a say in where they work. Our task as employer is now to find the right balance between mobile and office-based working.

What are the challenges of hybrid working?

Everyone should be happy with the solution. Clear communication, goals and processes as well as mutual trust are essential. Experiencing ourselves a team must also be preserved. During the pandemic, we noticed that some of our employees contributed less and less in the virtual meetings and became very quiet. In addition, as an employer, we need to look at what we are willing and able to provide in terms of work equipment/support. How do we ensure compliance with labour laws? The legal basis needs to be examined.

How is emmtrix addressing these challenges?

We hold fortnightly team meetings (online) so that everyone is integrated and up to date, no matter where he or she works from (home, café). We also plan regular activities (shared breakfast, company outings, spontaneous afternoon cake). Thus, we achieve a good balance between working as an individual and working as a team. To ensure that we are in line with the legal requirements, we have set up a supplementary agreement to the employment contract with each employee individually.

How do the employees react to the “new” work model?

Very positively, as everyone can work the way that suits her or him best (not everyone wants to work from home). We are seeing that our employees still prefer to come to the office, some more, some less often. However, mobile working also makes it possible to look after a child for example without having to miss work completely. A fact that is really appreciated by our employees.

What are the tasks of the HR department?

Until the hybrid work model was introduced, I was busy preparing the agreements between employer and employees, clarifying the legal aspects and implementing them.

As a first step, we introduced an online list in which everyone enters when he or she works from home. Thus, everyone can see who is in or out of the office. In addition, I always have the overview in HR. In the case of team events or important on-site meetings, I can intervene and coordinate in good time.

Thank you, Tanja, for the interview.

Interviewer: Mira Steinmetz, Marketing Manager, emmtrix Technologies

September 2021