After years of pandemic, the hybrid working model has become the new standard in many companies. Employees are sometimes working from home, sometimes in the office. However, this generally provides more flexibility can also have disadvantages. Many employees have the feeling that local colleagues may be preferred. This is known as a “proximity bias.” But does he exist? And if so, how can it be prevented?
The most important things in brief
- The proximity bias describes a cognitive distortion in which we give preferential treatment to people close to us.
- In a hybrid workplace, switching between home office & office can have the same effect.
- Employees have the feeling that colleagues who work in the office more often are “preferred” by team leaders.
- This effect can be minimized through training, building a strong corporate culture and active feedback.
What is proximity bias?
The so-called proximity bias is a subconscious cognitive distortion and describes a distortion of judgment in which we prefer to treat those who are closer to us. In terms of the workplace, this distortion means that employees who are in the office more often are preferred by supervisors or the rest of the team or are “better” workers.
The former is a completely natural process and doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. It only becomes negative when the proximity bias corporate culture and influences team collaboration. In order to preserve equality and diversity in companies, attention should be paid to this issue.
Proximity Bias & Hybrid Work
The topic received particular attention in the workplace as a result of the increased introduction hybrid working. As a result, many employees who often work from home may feel excluded from decision-making processes, as colleagues in the office are more involved in decisions.
For example, 44% of respondents have a latest study by Owl-Labs the fear that they would miss out on career opportunities by working from home. In addition, 56% believe that employees in the office would be trusted more.
In addition, despite numerous studies, the home office is still regarded as a place of lower productivity. The misconception that employees are only productive in the office is therefore part of this bias.
What can companies & employees do about proximity bias?
To ensure that such a perception does not arise in the company in the first place, it is important to pay attention to this and to take active action as early as the introduction and familiarization process of hybrid work.
Add structure to hybrid work
The hybrid work model is not a matter of course, but rather an ongoing process. Proximity bias can quickly set in, especially for employees who work in such an environment for the first time. Therefore, that should Onboarding Be hybrid for new employees. In this way, a bond with the team and team lead can be established right from the start.
Regular online or hybrid events and meetings promote this development and make integration into the company successful.
Build an active feedback culture
How do you recognize a proximity bias in a company? It says: Actively ask employees. Anonymous surveys by the HR department and regular check-ins with team leads can capture the feelings of employees. After all, it is in the company's best interest to promote equality and inclusion and to bind employees to the corporate culture.
A firmly established feedback culture encourages employees to speak their mind openly. This promotes the free flow of information and open communication within the team.
Provide training for managers & employees
There is usually no awareness of proximity bias at all. After all, employees should not be deliberately excluded. To avoid this feeling among employees, managers and employees should be trained equally. Chat programs such as Microsoft Teams represent a central organizational and communication organ in hybrid work.
Hybrid meetings For example, it should always be offered to include all employees regardless of where they work. Clear distribution of roles, adapted gestures and preparation and follow-up help to pick up all participants. Employees should be encouraged to be present — even online. A hybrid corporate culture should therefore include turning on the camera during video conferences. In this way, participants are seen, can make themselves known and have their say.
Fostering hybrid corporate culture
But corporate culture must also be actively promoted to overcome the proximity bias. Team events and team building are essential to strengthen team cohesion. Hybrid events such as a pub quiz or classic after-work beer on site help to strengthen team spirit.
However, it is important to pick up all employees, no matter where they are. Because a corporate culture doesn't necessarily have to be tied to a physical location. Informal meetings such as coffee chats serve as useful breaks to get to know each other and build connections.
Introduce a culture of trust rather than presence
With the hybrid working model, there is also a cultural change within companies. This is because the traditional culture of presence has been replaced by a culture of trust. Companies and managers must trust that their employees working from home are just as productive.
A company policy that provides for mandatory face-to-face days is usually rather counterproductive. Instead, the new corporate culture should be characterized by trust in employees and performance should not be based on the number of office days.
However, this also means taking on more personal responsibility for employees and, conversely, handing over responsibility for managers. Not every decision in the company requires the approval of team leaders. Instead, employees should be trusted more and given responsibility — regardless of where they work. Because this also helps to minimize proximity bias.
Increase team dynamics & collaboration with Seatti
Team dynamics are particularly important so that the proximity bias does not occur in the world of hybrid work. With Seatti, you can not only Workplace booking introduce in the company, but also promote personal collaboration. Our integrated Site overview shows all employees who is planning to come to the office. This allows employees to coordinate with each other and spend more time together in the office.
