Digital | We must tackle hybrid working

Since the pandemic, the museum sector has experimented with hybrid working – a blend of in-person and virtual. Many value the flexibility it provides, but is the sector capable of permanently changing its working practice? 

While hybrid working offers the opportunity for a better work/life balance, or the potential to reach wider audiences, it also raises several issues. 

A Culture24 survey into hybrid working found that respondents worried about accessibility for teams and audiences. Others were concerned about communication between team members. The survey reveals a sector optimistic about change, but cautious of the challenges change brings. 

The cautious optimism surfaced again during a #MuseumHour discussion on hybrid working, which found a mix of attitudes, from supportive organisations to those that have gone “back to normal”. Even supportive employers are grappling with how it’s changing their working practices. 

Culture24’s upcoming Let’s Get Real action research programme will focus on hybrid working. We’re pulling together a cohort of individuals to experiment around the opportunities and challenges together. If you want to join the cohort, you can find out more on our website. 

Whatever changes hybrid working brings, we need to tackle the challenges together. 

Alec Ward is the digital skills manager at Culture24