{"id":76752,"date":"2026-10-28T14:30:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T12:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/?p=76752"},"modified":"2026-10-28T15:00:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T13:00:43","slug":"what-is-hybrid-and-remote-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-hybrid-and-remote-working\/","title":{"rendered":"What is remote and hybrid working?: How can you make it fair and effective?"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--standard\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/people-leadership\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">People &amp; Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is remote and hybrid working?: How can you make it fair and effective?\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn how to make hybrid working fair and effective with practical tips for clearer policies, equal opportunities and consistent working practices.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-8 col-lg-4 entry-header__image\">\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"entry-header__thumbnail js-hero-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-726x810.jpg\" class=\"entry-header__thumbnail-image\" alt=\"A man stands in front of the Sage glow line in front of a black background.\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-726x810.jpg 726w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-688x768.jpg 688w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-768x857.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-1376x1536.jpg 1376w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-1835x2048.jpg 1835w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final.jpg 1879w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 726px) 100vw, 726px\" \/>\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \">Published <time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-10-28T14:30:52+02:00\">October 28, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"What is remote and hybrid working?: How can you make it fair and effective?\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-hybrid-and-remote-working\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/charliebraithwaite\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/Charlie-Braithwaite-Profile-Image-600x600-1-350x350.png\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Charlie Braithwaite\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/Charlie-Braithwaite-Profile-Image-600x600-1-350x350.png 350w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/06\/Charlie-Braithwaite-Profile-Image-600x600-1.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 40px) 100vw, 40px\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Charlie Braithwaite<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-sage-container is-constrained\"><div class=\"sage-container__inner\">\n<h3 id=\"h-key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hybrid working remains a challenge:<\/strong> 73% say adapting to remote and hybrid working models is a top challenge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fairness is the central issue:<\/strong> 59% say ensuring consistency and fairness across working practices is a challenge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HR is increasingly focused on hybrid working:<\/strong> 68% report greater emphasis on supporting hybrid and flexible working than 2 years ago.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effective hybrid working policies are designed deliberately:<\/strong> employees need clear expectations and equal access to opportunity, wherever they work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Well-designed flexible working brings business and employee benefits:<\/strong> it can widen talent pools, improve retention, support wellbeing, and drive productivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hybrid working gives employees flexibility over where they work, but making that flexibility fair and consistent can be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technology has made it easier for employees to stay connected and work across different locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many organisations, the challenge now is making that flexibility work fairly and consistently for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/human-resources\/resources\/hr-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HR and Payroll Leaders\u2019 Report<\/a> from Sage, based on research with 1,000 HR, people, and payroll professionals across the UK, Ireland, and South Africa, including 300 respondents in South Africa, 73% say adapting to remote and hybrid working models is a top challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And 59% say ensuring consistency and fairness across different working practices is a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, you\u2019ll learn how to create a fairer and more effective approach to remote and hybrid working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#h-what-s-the-difference-between-remote-and-hybrid-working\" data-level=\"2\">What&rsquo;s the difference between remote and hybrid working?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-are-the-challenges-of-remote-and-hybrid-working\" data-level=\"2\">What are the challenges of remote and hybrid working?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-can-you-make-remote-and-hybrid-working-fair\" data-level=\"2\">How can you make remote and hybrid working fair?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-what-are-the-benefits-of-remote-and-hybrid-working\" data-level=\"2\">What are the benefits of remote and hybrid working?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-how-to-make-remote-and-hybrid-working-fair-and-effective\" data-level=\"2\">How to make remote and hybrid working fair and effective?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-start-making-remote-and-hybrid-working-fairer\" data-level=\"2\">Start making remote and hybrid working fairer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-frequently-asked-questions-about-remote-and-hybrid-working\" data-level=\"2\">Frequently asked questions about remote and hybrid working<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-s-the-difference-between-remote-and-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s the difference between remote and hybrid working?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hybrid working is an arrangement where employees split their working time between a company workplace and another location, usually home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fully remote employees, meanwhile, work away from the company workplace most or all of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both approaches can give employees greater flexibility, but they can also create similar challenges for HR teams around expectations, communication, fairness, and consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flexible working is broader still: it can cover changes to hours or schedules as well as location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s no single remote or hybrid working model that works for every organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What matters is whether employees understand the arrangements that apply to them and can do their jobs effectively wherever they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-are-the-challenges-of-remote-and-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the challenges of remote and hybrid working?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remote and hybrid working give employees more flexibility, but they can make it harder for HR teams to maintain consistent expectations, employee experiences, and working practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/human-resources\/resources\/hr-trends\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/human-resources\/resources\/hr-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research<\/a> from Sage shows that this is becoming a bigger focus for HR teams, with 68% reporting greater emphasis on supporting flexible working practices than 2 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difficulty is keeping the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/what-is-employee-experience\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-employee-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">employee experience<\/a> consistent when people aren\u2019t working in the same place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Communication can become less predictable. Managers may have less visibility into workload or wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cross-border remote working can also introduce additional questions around employment law, tax, health and safety, and data protection for South African employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-can-you-make-remote-and-hybrid-working-fair\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you make remote and hybrid working fair?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees need confidence that where they work won\u2019t unfairly affect their opportunities or how they\u2019re evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/human-resources\/resources\/hr-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">report<\/a> highlights 3 areas where unequal experiences can emerge: visibility, access to opportunities, and performance assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An employee who spends more time around senior colleagues may have more opportunities to be seen and heard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A remote colleague shouldn\u2019t have to work harder to access development or receive fair feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managers also need performance criteria that work consistently across locations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fairness doesn\u2019t mean every employee must work in the same way. Different roles may genuinely require different levels of in-person work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What matters is that those differences have a clear rationale and that the rules are applied consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This focus on fairness also reflects what South African HR professionals want from the employee experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong>\u201cI wish to create a truly inclusive and empowering working place culture where every employee feels valued, heard and supported.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><cite>Chief of staff, hospitality sector, South Africa<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-are-the-benefits-of-remote-and-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the benefits of remote and hybrid working?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remote and hybrid working can benefit employees and organisations when they\u2019re implemented consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/human-resources\/resources\/hr-trends\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">report<\/a> says that well-designed remote and hybrid models can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Widen talent pools:<\/strong> Giving people more flexibility over where they work can help you recruit beyond your immediate location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improve retention:<\/strong> A fair and flexible approach can help you create a working experience that supports <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/employee-retention-strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">employee retention<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support employee wellbeing:<\/strong> Flexible working can support better <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/hr-support-better-work-life-balance-workplace\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">work-life balance<\/a> when it&#8217;s designed around clear and consistent expectations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Drive productivity:<\/strong> Clear expectations and consistent working practices can help employees work effectively across different locations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A strong hybrid model gives employees flexibility while giving managers enough clarity to lead effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Infographic: Remote and hybrid working<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Discover the key challenges of remote and hybrid working, plus a practical 3-pillar framework to create clearer expectations, provide fair access to opportunities, and build trust across different working arrangements.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-0588e2df-4018-4e75-9700-1310a3e774fa\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download the remote and hybrid working infographic<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"726\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-726x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"A man stands in front of the Sage glow line in front of a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/10\/Infographic-5-Image-Final-726x810.jpg 726w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-how-to-make-remote-and-hybrid-working-fair-and-effective\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to make remote and hybrid working fair and effective?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remote and hybrid working work best when fairness is designed into your approach, rather than left up to individual managers to interpret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with 3 principles: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>create clear expectations, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide fair access to opportunities, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and build trust through consistent policies and outcomes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-1-create-clarity-around-expectations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Create clarity around expectations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by removing ambiguity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employees should know when they\u2019re required to come into the office (if at all), and what\u2019s expected of them when they work remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make communication norms clear too, including availability and reasonable turnaround times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the same performance criteria regardless of location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If 2 people are doing comparable work, where they work from shouldn\u2019t change how their contribution is evaluated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep these expectations somewhere employees and managers can easily find them. Shared policies can also make scheduling decisions more transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-2-create-equal-access-to-opportunity\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>2. Create equal access to opportunity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, look at whether someone\u2019s working location affects who receives access to feedback or development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Build those opportunities into your processes instead of relying on informal office interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use structured goals and regular performance conversations so everyone knows what progress looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make development opportunities visible to the whole team so remote or hybrid employees are less likely to be overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use your workforce data to check whether working location is affecting access to development and progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, review promotion and development data by work location and investigate any persistent differences you find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-3-build-trust-through-consistent-outcomes-and-policies\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>3. Build trust through consistent outcomes and policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trust grows when employees know they\u2019ll be judged on what they deliver, rather than how often they\u2019re seen in the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Set clear performance expectations that apply wherever someone works, whether they work remotely, in the workplace, or across both locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focus on agreed outcomes rather than presence, while keeping expectations around availability, communication, and remote-working compliance clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure employees understand the policies that apply to data protection and privacy, scheduling, time and attendance, and absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping these expectations clear and applying them consistently can help build confidence in how remote and hybrid working operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then, apply policies consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Exceptions may sometimes be necessary, but employees should understand why they exist rather than being left to assume that different managers simply apply different rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/hr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HR software<\/a> can help you centralise policies and relevant information about goals, performance, leave, and working arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can give managers a more consistent basis for applying policies and reviewing performance across different working arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-start-making-remote-and-hybrid-working-fairer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start making remote and hybrid working fairer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your current remote or hybrid working approach feels inconsistent or unfair, you don\u2019t need to fix everything at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by identifying one place where location may be creating a different employee experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That could be access to development, how performance is assessed, or how different managers apply the same policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose one gap to address first, agree what needs to change, and make sure employees and managers understand the new expectation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then review whether the change is creating a more consistent experience before tackling the next area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"#gate-0588e2df-4018-4e75-9700-1310a3e774fa\">Want to go further? Download the remote and hybrid working infographic and discover practical steps you can start taking today.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-sage-faq\">\n\t\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions-about-remote-and-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about remote and hybrid working<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-items\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-61c994ac\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-what-is-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is hybrid working?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hybrid working is an arrangement where employees divide their working time between a company workplace and another location, usually home.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exact balance can vary by organisation, team, or role.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-12aa3d26\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-what-is-the-difference-between-remote-and-hybrid-working\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between remote and hybrid working?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remote employees work away from the company workplace most or all of the time. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hybrid employees combine remote work with time in a shared workplace. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both arrangements need clear expectations and consistent policies so employees understand how they work in practice.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-4a54c99d\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-what-should-a-hybrid-work-policy-include\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should a hybrid work policy include?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A hybrid work policy should explain when in-person attendance is required, expectations around availability and communication, how performance will be assessed, and how policies apply across different working arrangements.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It should also make relevant requirements around areas such as data protection and privacy, scheduling, time, and attendance clear.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-65ad4028\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-how-can-you-make-hybrid-working-fair\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you make hybrid working fair?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by evaluating your current hybrid working challenges.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check whether employees have the same access to opportunities and are assessed against consistent performance criteria.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be transparent when different roles need different working arrangements, and make sure managers apply the policy consistently.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-sage-faq-item\" id=\"faq-item-e5ce5741\">\n\t<div class=\"faq-item-question\">\n\t\t\n<h3 id=\"h-how-do-you-know-if-hybrid-working-is-effective\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you know if hybrid working is effective?<\/h3>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"faq-item-answer\">\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look beyond office attendance.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Combine employee feedback with measures such as retention, absence, performance, promotion, and development data. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compare the results across working arrangements to identify persistent differences that may need investigation.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner on-scroll-highlight__target\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice enewsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get a roundup of our best business advice in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-84fe79b5-668d-41f8-a0cc-6229018c4ac9\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1181404518-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"more-topics alignfull has-grey-light-background-color wp-block-sage-post-topics\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"more-topics__title h2\">Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12 col-lg-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"post-tags__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/employee-benefits\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\temployee benefits\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/employing-people-for-the-first-time\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\temploying people for the first time\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"post-tags__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tag\/hr-payroll\/\" class=\"post-tags__link button button--secondary\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHR &amp; Payroll\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"alignfull wp-block-sage-related-posts\">\n\t<section class=\"related-posts card-grid has-dark-background-color\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--featured h1\">Explore more wisdom<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-0 post-76687 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-business-management tag-coaching tag-hr-payroll tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business card-post--is-clickable\"\n>\n\t<div class=\"card-post__media-wrapper\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-1440x810.jpeg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A man stands in front of the Sage glow line in front of a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-684x384.jpeg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Philip_Option2-1440x810.jpeg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"card-post__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__label\">Recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-30T11:43:12+02:00\">September 30, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">9 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/manager-burnout-hr-support\/\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWhy are managers under pressure and what can HR do about it?\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"card-post__description\">\n\t\t\t\tDiscover why managers are feeling more pressure than ever and explore practical HR strategies to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve support.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row related-posts__non-featured\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-12\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"related-posts__heading related-posts__heading--more h4\">More on this Topic<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-1 post-76618 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-business-intelligence tag-business-management tag-business-strategy tag-employee-benefits tag-hr-payroll business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-employee-experience\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"A woman stands in front of the Sage glowline with a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/HPF_Static_Danielle_Option1-Final-1440x720-1.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-09T15:29:07+02:00\">September 9, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">10 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tWhat is employee experience and why is HR struggling to deliver it?\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-2 post-73705 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership tag-business-management tag-employee-benefits tag-hr-payroll tag-news-insights tag-trending-topics business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/what-is-employee-self-service\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"Woman in audience raising her hand\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2019\/07\/resize-1675x1275-44-1064x810.jpg 1064w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-09-03T09:00:00+02:00\">September 3, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tEmpower your team with employee self-service\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-3 post-69417 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-compliance category-money-matters category-strategy-legal-operations tag-compliance tag-hr-payroll tag-regulation tag-tax business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/checklist-preparing-for-and-processing-tax-year-end\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1400801126-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1400801126-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1400801126-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1400801126-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-27T13:00:00+02:00\">August 27, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">6 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tChecklist: Preparing for and processing Tax Year-End\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-6 col-lg-3 card-grid__item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article\n\t\tclass=\"card-post related-post related-post-4 post-72349 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-people-leadership category-trends-insights tag-hr-payroll business_type-small-business business_type-medium-business\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\tclass=\"card-post__link\"\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/human-resource-management\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<figure class=\"card-post__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-684x384.jpg\" class=\"card-post__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-684x384.jpg 684w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1314879006-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 250px, (min-width: 30em) 100vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card-post__meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-08-20T10:22:42+02:00\">August 20, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"card-post__meta-text\"><span class=\"reading-time\">8 min read<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"card-post__title h5\">\n\t\t\tHuman Resource Management: All you need to know\t\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to make hybrid working fair and effective with practical tips for clearer policies, equal opportunities and consistent working practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1926,"featured_media":76755,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_sage_video":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"26","sage_membership_post_content_type":"","sage_membership_post_featured_video_id":"","sage_membership_post_video_type":"","sage_membership_post_featured_video_duration":"","post_featured_image_hide":false,"sage_hide_published_date":false,"sage_hide_read_time":false,"sage_hide_share_buttons":false,"_pwl_sage_podcast_buzzsprout_src":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[185,332,201],"business_type":[2,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[10,14,16],"imagine_tag":[57,99,354,84,85],"coauthors":[567],"class_list":["post-76752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people-leadership","tag-employee-benefits","tag-employing-people-for-the-first-time","tag-hr-payroll","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-za","author_name":"Charlie 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