Despite missing the camaraderie of in-office culture, many have become accustomed to the flexibility and autonomy that comes with working from home. (Photo: Shutterstock)
The COVID-19 pandemic became an excellent opportunity for employees and employers worldwide to reimagine the traditional office structure as state mandates forced businesses to transition to a fully remote work model quickly. Organizations' successful transition to a fully remote environment disproved the pre-pandemic belief that employee productivity would drop if businesses allowed employees to work from home. Research from PwC found 83% of employers viewed the shift to remote work as successful, and 52% saw improved employee productivity.
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As vaccinations continue to roll out across the country, leaders face the increasingly complex challenge of planning how and when they welcome employees back to the office. While our research indicates the U.S. is gaining momentum in return-to-the-office (RTO) efforts, with the percentage of employees returning to the office increasing 50% in June, many are plagued with crippling anxiety at the thought of coming back. Here are three ways leaders can, and should, manage employees' expectations and fears when returning to the office.
1. Working remotely during the pandemic has changed the way employees and employers view the office.
Despite missing the camaraderie of in-office culture, many have become accustomed to the flexibility and autonomy that comes with working from home and feel wary about giving up that control. Leaders need to keep these sentiments front of mind as they collaborate with IT, HR, and Facilities to create a revamped employee-centric office experience that not only eliminates uncertainty and friction but prioritizes productivity. Leaders need to listen to their employees and keep these sentiments front of mind as they open offices.
The best way for businesses to foster this collaboration is by establishing a multi-disciplinary workplace department focused on the common strategic goal of enhancing the employee experience. Although the fields of IT, HR, and Facilities have historically operated in siloes, they all play integral roles in shaping the workplace experience and play a vital role in creating a seamless employee experience that remains consistent regardless of employee location. Establishing a workplace department ensures these teams are aligned on business priorities and cultivates the collaboration needed to create a successful RTO strategy.
2. It is paramount that businesses show deep empathy for their returning workforce.
This must include a well-thought-out return to office (RTO) strategy that proactively addresses employee concerns. Recent data shows that 60% of US adults would quit their job if forced to return to the office full time, citing the re-introduction of daily stressors such as commuting, daily lunch costs, and health concerns as the leading deterrents. Leaders who implement hybrid work schedules should also offer employees the autonomy to choose where they can work within an office to be most productive depending on their role within the organization.
Additionally, leaders should consider revamping future employee benefits offerings based on employee feedback. Employees are increasingly requesting PTO offerings, wellness programs designed to combat physical and emotional burnout, and new paths to upskill, reskill, and advance their careers.
3. The pandemic has forever changed the fundamental role of the office.
Organizations need to adopt an opt-in rather than an opt-out return to office strategy that gives workers the flexibility to determine how and where they work. In a hybrid work situation, people will often be the biggest motivator to return to the office. Tech-enabled RTO empowers workplace leaders to minimize employee stress from the office and generate greater engagement from the workforce through real-time office maps and scheduling via desktop, kiosk, or mobile app. Additionally, the right technology solutions can also offer managers invaluable insight into office utilization, capacity, collaborative assets, desk booking trends, and more.
For the first time in history, businesses design workplaces around their most vital asset – people. The return to office strategy must be informed by employees' preferences and flexible over the long term. Although many are eager to come back to the office, see people face-to-face, or bring a change of pace to their current schedule, leaders need to exercise patience and lead with empathy as we enter another massive transition.
Carl Oliveri is CRO of Robin.
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