Tungsram switches to hybrid work

In September, the staff working in Tungsram's head office has the option to return to the office on a voluntary basis. From October 1, Tungsram employees will work from the office three days a week.

"This is our plan if everything goes well and the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic does not force us to close offices again," says Tungsram HR director Katalin Ragályi.

The 450 staff involved will still be able to work from home or remote locations on Mondays and Fridays.

"This way they can travel to Lake Balaton and check-in online, even avoiding traffic jams," adds the HR director. "We believe that the combination of office and remote work indicates the flexibility of the employer, while maintaining the efficiency of face-to-face meetings."

Tungsram switched to a home office for office workers back in March 2020. The return now was made possible by the fact that, according to the company's surveys, two-thirds of office workers received their vaccinations, so it is currently possible to hold meetings in the office building without a mask, in compliance with government regulations.

As part of the corporate culture development in Tungsram, the seating arrangement has been changed including hot desks in addition to permanent staff seats. This way, for a part of the week, the business units and the supporting functions may work together more closely.

Katalin Ragályi thanked the factory employees at all five Tungsram sites (Budapest, Hajdúböszörmény, Kisvárda, Nagykanizsa, Zalaegerszeg), who took care of production in the usual order all this time, despite the extra difficulties caused by the regulations (wearing masks, distancing).

Tungsram was one of the first to introduce distancing, mask-wearing, remote work, disinfection, daily information campaigns, and ensured business security measures. Last year, a "job protection action plan" was introduced to mitigate the negative economic impacts, which meant shortened working hours for workers for three months.