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MAKING THE HYBRID MODEL WORK
Firms are taking a range of measures to make the The state of remote working
hybrid model work, from hosting entertaining
online activities to installing more technology.

Activities to stay connected % Median of top-performing CPA firms that
have staff working remotely. CPA firms as
Squire offers its employees a variety of fun activities 50 a whole have a median of 30%.
each month to soften the inevitable isolation of
remote work and to help keep employees connected. Source: 2021 National Management of an
Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey.
In November, for example, the firm’s departments
participated in a competitive canned food drive,
each doing their best to collect as much canned
food as possible for charity. The food drive “created % Portion of financial services companies
that expect to allow 60% of staff to work
a banter back and forth” on Microsoft Teams, and 69 remotely at least one day per week after
691 items were donated, surpassing the firm’s goal the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 29%
of 500, Bullock said. Squire also gives employees $3 of financial services companies allowed
at the beginning of each month, which they can use 60% of staff to work remotely at least one
to thank someone else on staff, both verbally and by day per week.
giving them $1. To do this, Squire uses an apprecia-
Source: PwC US Remote Work Survey,
tion software platform called Motivosity, and this
June 25, 2020.
ongoing appreciation helps workers communicate
in an upbeat way, she said. Portion of financial services employers
those who need the in-person connection, Johnson 70 % who think staff should be in the office
Gross, Mendelsohn has tried to keep workers
engaged and connected with virtual group activities
three or more days a week. Only 20% of
like online bingo and sharing stories about pets,
financial services employees say the same.
along with in-person community service events for
Source: PwC US Remote Work Survey,
said. “The activities allowed employees to connect on
June 25, 2020.
a personal level, especially between departments that
do not regularly interact with each other,” she said.
Caron & Bletzer holds virtual firmwide meetings Portion of financial services employers who
every week but also offers employees the chance to % say preserving company culture is their top
play online games like Jeopardy!, Bletzer noted. 43 concern when it comes to remote work.

Career planning Source: Deloitte Return to Workplaces
Survey, April 2021.
All five firms put programs in place to encourage
career development mentoring and/or training.
sponsorship program and gives attendees a chance 1in 3 Portion of remote workers who say they
Some have women’s initiatives that focus on any
potential disparities affecting female employees in a
would seek new employment if they were
hybrid working environment.
required to return to the office.
Squire’s ongoing women’s initiative created a
Source: Robert Half survey of more than
1,000 workers in the United States, 2021.
to discuss issues such as diversity and inclusion. In
December, the firm also held an in-person partner-
manager retreat.
zation. During the pandemic, the firm held virtual 67 % Portion of financial services executives
Gross, Mendelsohn’s women’s initiative, RISE
(Resources that Inspire Success and Empower-
who say implementing technology for
ment), helps match sponsors (who are partners)
hybrid work would present only a “minor”
with protégées striving to grow within the organi-
challenge or no challenge at all.
town halls and offered training on unconscious Source: PwC US Pulse Survey, Aug. 19, 2021.
bias. However, Johnson said, “We need to do more
mentoring now than we were doing before.”

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