🎭 The Unwritten Rules in Hybrid Work

Hello there, HR Champs! 🧭 In the world of hybrid work, the real handbook is unwritten. From Zoom etiquette to office optics, let’s decode the hidden rules—just in time for World Day of Social Justice.

On today’s agenda:

🎭 Unwritten rules in hybrid work

🍽️ Morale through meals

🧩 HR’s mismatched AI ambitions

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

🎭 The Unwritten Rules in Hybrid Work: Turning Invisible Etiquette & Protocols into Norms

Hybrid work can feel like high school recess — lots of freedom… but also a bunch of unspoken “rules” that trip people up. For HR leaders, getting ahead of these hidden norms isn’t optional if you want to balance culture with hybrid work etiquette.

🤯 The Situation: Hidden Rules, Real Impact — A 2025 study reveals only 54% of companies have trained managers on how to lead remote/hybrid teams, which explains why many employees often feel there are expectations that aren’t in the handbook: 

• “Be visible to be valuable.” Employees assume that more office days = better career opportunities, which shows proximity bias.

• Meeting equity expectations (e.g., camera on/off, how to contribute) vary dramatically by team, leaving remote workers feeling sidelined.

• Core hours ambiguity. Without stated core times, individuals create their own schedules — which can disrupt collaboration.

• Response urgency assumptions. People infer from informal communication styles (Slack/Teams) that fast = good, blurring work–life boundaries.

These unwritten norms can fuel miscommunication, bias, and inequity. If leaders don’t address them directly, they can hurt engagement and performance.

✅ How HR Can Make the Invisible Visible - Clarify norms before assumptions take hold:

1. Document “how we show up” — Set transparent performance metrics that reward output, not office presence, and clarify hybrid promotion criteria.

2. Create inclusive meeting norms — Establish camera expectations, speaking order, accessibility options.

3. Define core collaboration hours — Do this for each team and communicate flexibility boundaries to balance autonomy with team availability.

4. Empower communication standards — Define channels, response times, and feedback loops, including expected response windows.

Combine these actions with manager training programs and employee onboarding updates. The key is to set measurable expectations, not guesses — trust but verify with transparent goals and checkpoints. 

📍 Clarifying Etiquette & Protocols in Hybrid Work »

TOGETHER WITH EZCATER

Bring Teams Together and Boost Employee Morale with a Meal Benefit They’ll Love

QUICK POLL

🧓 Caregiving Benefits Please — AP News

• What’s unfolding: As the U.S. population ages, more employees are requesting caregiver leave, flexibility, and added support.

• Why it matters: HR should strengthen caregiver-friendly policies now to reduce burnout and retain experienced talent.

• What’s unfolding: New data shows employees value recognition, wellbeing, and flexibility more than flashy AI tools.

• Why it matters: HR should invest in tech that boosts connection and appreciation, not just automation.

• What’s unfolding: While HR plans more AI use, employees still want real human interaction.

• Why it matters: Use AI to streamline work—but keep empathy front and center in employee support.

WEEKLY GOODY

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: The EEOC sued a Coca‑Cola bottler for holding a networking event only for women, alleging gender discrimination.

• HR implications:  Review event and development policies to ensure inclusivity and avoid potential Title VII violations.

• What’s unfolding: A Denver restaurant violated FLSA rules by withholding tips and failing to maintain proper records.

• HR implications: HR in the same industry must audit payroll, tip policies, and postings to prevent wage-hour disputes and costly penalties.

🤖 AI Hiring Scores May Trigger FCRA Rules – NatLawReview

• What’s unfolding: A complaint claims AI hiring tools producing applicant scores could fall under the FCRA if external data is used without disclosure.

• HR implications: Ensure AI recruitment tools comply with disclosure and dispute rights under FCRA to mitigate legal risk.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s issue on ‘Why Your Best Employees Quit’? Read it »