Return To Office: The Ultimate Guide
Working in hybrid environments is now the norm. Hybrid work implies workers can split their work days between remote and in-office, as part of several hybrid work schedules. It's made to offer the best of both worlds to both people and businesses. But to work, it still requires folks to return to office–at least partially. In this write-up, we’ll discuss how firms may roll out their return-to-office strategies in a way that prioritises both people and corporate goals.
Return To Office: The Reality
After the pandemic widespread remote working in 2020, companies around the world launched a campaign called "Return to Office" to encourage their staff to return to office. Not everyone has the same experience upon returning to work.
For many businesses, coming to the workplace five days a week makes the most sense–especially for organisations inside healthcare, manufacturing, or education for example. Some industries have returned more slowly. While 16% of US businesses are remote-first, the bulk of businesses are still figuring out hybrid work and returning-to-office policies that call for spending one to two days a week in the office.
Return To Office: The Benefits And The Challenges
Cons and benefits always follow new (or, in this case, old-but-new) policies. The truth is that there isn't one resolution that works for every business or individual. The good news though? Instead of adhering to something "traditional," you can create your own return to office policies. Employees will know you value them if you can return to office with some thought and flexibility. Employees will then appreciate going back to work.
Here are some important advantages to emphasise when implementing your return to office policy, as well as some potential drawbacks you might want to be aware of.
#1: Better work-life balance
Returning to the workplace creates a physical barrier between work and life, assisting individuals in achieving a better work-life balance. People may travel there to work. When they go home for the day, they may leave it at the workplace. Some people with a hybrid work setup can achieve a work-life balance during WFH days, depending on the sort of return to office policy in place.
People can still check off personal stuff while on site even after going back to the office. In reality, the majority of leaders (64%) do not perceive personal time during the workday unfavourably, according to our most recent At Work poll. This includes checking social media throughout the day, running errands, and getting up early or staying up late because of obligations like daycare.
You are not scrutinised for balancing your personal and professional obligations. When you go back to work, maintaining a work-life balance is more than achievable. Even more so than totally remote workers, who on average put in 10% more time in the office than those who can physically clock off at the end of the day.
#2: Employee recognition
In the same poll, 95% of managers and executives said that they valued on-site workers' contributions more than those of remote workers. It includes staff members who routinely visit the office, work close to their superiors, and organise onsite presentations. To put it another way, the more time you spend face-to-face with executives, the more they will notice you and your job, which may have excellent advantages like career advancement.
#3: Provides the opportunity for onsite collaboration
Returning to the workplace entails reuniting with coworkers and occupying the same space as them. This has a significant positive impact on cooperation, which is crucial for fostering team spirit, professional connections, and a feeling of workplace community. Collaboration also promotes corporate productivity and opens up development prospects.
#4: Drives productivity and company culture
It's simpler than ever in today's technological world to interact via a screen, work together in real-time on a paper, or instantly locate anything in a folder. Remote work has been made possible by technology and still is. But, there is still no substitute for in-person communication. In actuality, when people get together, they may discuss, spontaneously ask questions and interact in more natural ways. In turn, this encourages employees to work harder on-site and rekindles the business culture.
Return to Office: The Challenges
#1: The commute
Recent studies show that remote employees have shortened their commuting time to and from work by 60 million hours. It is unavoidable for employees of firms to commute to work. Our At Work survey indicates that 50% of employees still view lengthy commutes as a deal-breaker when going back to work.
Although organisations are powerless to stop people from commuting, there are many things they can do to make life simpler for those who must travel.
#2: Exposure to illnesses
While Covid-19 is well past its prime, germs still exist. This implies that exposure to diseases from others will occur organically. It might be daunting for people with immunological disorders to go back to work and be away from the security of their home.
The feeling of safety in your workplace should always be respected by all of your employees. It's crucial to invest in technology that supports those who experience anxiety about going back to work. For instance, a visitor management system will assist you in guaranteeing that all guests who enter your facility and come into touch with your personnel are completely immunised.
5 tips for a successful return to office strategy
Let's put that knowledge to use by going through five different ways you might implement a productive return to office approach.
1. Use the right workplace tech
Make the workplace convenient for your staff members if you want them to come back to work. In our most recent At Work study, 34% of employees said that using sluggish or out-of-date technology would prevent them from going back to work.
Take into account the office technology available to support your staff and your office. Make your office a smart, lively place to work. a setting where technology is used to streamline workflows, automate time-consuming operations, and integrate various software and systems.
2. Be thoughtful in your approach
Workers are five times more likely to seek employment elsewhere than those who do if they don't feel appreciated or acknowledged. When making any kind of change at work, especially one that involves returning to the workplace, it always pays to keep your staff in mind.
To learn what your staff members are thinking about going back to work, think about conducting an employee survey. What worries do they have? You may start considering remedies to provide with your return to office policy once you are aware of where they stand. If several of your staff members are worried about leaving their dogs at home, for instance, you can consider making your workplace dog-friendly or providing a pet-care stipend.
3. Design your office with the intent
It is wise to start by asking yourself whether or not people would want to return to office when creating a return to office policy. The likelihood that the response is no is increased if your workplace contains few fixed desks, few meeting spaces, and few social spaces.
Consider your workplace in the same manner that you would your home. Is it hospitable? Friendly? Warm? People are far more likely to feel at ease returning to the office when factors like wall colour and meeting room decor are considered. It might be vital as well to make sure various places outside the business give off varied emotions. With the help of couches, Televisions, and coffee tables, people may relax and change their viewpoint away from their workplace.
4. Start slow, go steady
People are likely to be upset and you run the danger of losing some talent if you switch from two years of remote work to a mandated five-day in-office requirement. After all, not everyone enjoys or readily accepts change. Consider implementing your return to office policy gradually after polling your staff to learn about their concerns. For instance, if the objective is to have everyone come into the office three days a week, start off by asking them to come in for two days and then increase it after a few months once people have gotten acclimated to it.
5. Flexibility is always key
Nowadays, flexible scheduling is a typical employment bonus. It's a way of working that spread throughout the epidemic and has now become standard across numerous sectors. Giving people some leeway to work in their own style when you adopt your return to office policy can benefit your company in the long term. This does not obligate you to give employees complete autonomy over their schedule. Offering flexibility, however, will make it simple for workers to return to office after taking care of their children, pets, or personal chores during the day.
The transition back to work is well underway. In fact, by the end of 2023, it's anticipated that 9 out of 10 businesses would want some sort of return to office.
Are you ready to rise above with your team but are missing a workspace? Let Office Hub find the best-suited workspace for your business so your return to office transition goes smoothly!
