Your team has been operating on a hybrid work model for a few months. The official policy is that everyone comes to the office at least three times a week.

Recently, tension has been brewing between Alex, who works almost entirely from home, and Sam, who prefers to be in the office every day. You also come into the office almost every day.

At a recent team check-in, Sam said - loud enough for everyone to hear:

“It’s hard to collaborate when some people are basically invisible.”

Later that day, Alex messaged you privately:

“I’m tired of being made to feel like I’m not working hard just because I’m not in the office. I deliver everything on time. This is unfair.”

Sam, meanwhile, tells you they’re frustrated: “I end up picking up the slack because no one’s around to make quick decisions or jump in where needed. I know you get where I’m coming from.”

The tension is starting to affect the rest of the team.

In general, people are also starting to grumble about the hybrid policy not being enforced equally.

Discussion task:

What do you do?
What information do you need?
What issues are at play here?