Hybrid working model: This is how things are going at Ratepay after the crisis
Due to the Corona pandemic, everyone is confronted with new challenges – shopping differently, communicating differently and working differently than before. At Ratepay, we are taking advantage of this break and shaping our work for the future.
The first lockdown in March 2020 also banished Ratepay colleagues to their own four walls. Working remotely was the new challenge, which is why we had to reorganise our infrastructure and work processes in a hurry. Not all of our departments were used to this way of working and therefore faced major challenges, especially at the beginning. One thing was clear to us from the beginning: we are all in the same boat. Thanks to our strong culture of cohesion, we were able to overcome all hurdles and work successfully even under difficult conditions.
But what will working look like in the future when the pandemic no longer dominates our entire daily lives? In order to gather the opinions of our colleagues, we conducted several surveys. One thing quickly became clear: no one wants to carry on as before. What our colleagues appreciate most about the new working conditions is the better compatibility of private and professional life. Without a commute and with flexible working hours, their own working day can be better adapted to their individual needs.
Nevertheless, we all miss the personal exchange, the conversation at the coffee machine or the joint lunch. How do we bring both together in the future? The higher flexibility, but also the Ratepay-typical corporate culture, which is very much characterised by personal exchange?
The solution: we have opted for a hybrid working model. The colleagues come to the office eight days a month, as soon as the situation allows it again, and can work individually according to the challenges of their daily work and family life. On all other days, the colleagues can work flexibly in the mobile office, no matter where they are in Germany. The hybrid model allows us to combine the best of both worlds. In order to ensure the highest possible flexibility for everyone, we will constantly review and adapt this new way of working.
Our office space will also reflect this new orientation in the future. Even more than before, the office is to become a place of encounter, a place where people like to linger and exchange ideas with colleagues. We create space for creativity and togetherness, but also the space to work alone in a concentrated manner.
In order to achieve our goals, we have formed a working group with colleagues from various departments. We are all curious to see exactly what the implementation will look like. One thing is certain: After the pandemic, many things will be different than before, and we are all looking forward to that!
