As the economy continues to open up, more and more companies are keen on returning to the office, to the pre-pandemic work mode. But working from home is fun! What will actually incentivize people to come back to the office?
The pandemic caused considerable disruption in the office culture, where many employees were working remotely. Despite the success of the remote working culture in some businesses, there is excellent value when employees work together.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM THE OFFICE
Some of the benefits associated with office work are:
1. TIME MANAGEMENT
Most offices have fixed working hours and breaks. Employees work during the slotted times, fostering a sense of discipline in completing tasks. Timelines and deadlines are also apparent in the office, which reduces the probability of procrastination.
2. WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Working remotely necessitates turning your home or a section of it into your office. This may have detrimental effects on the work-life balance, as the line between home and office becomes blurry., While working in the office, it’s easier to leave the work stress once you get off work due to the change in environment.
3. NETWORKING
When working from the office, the employees’ talent, work ethic, and true potential are more visible to the managers and other company executives. Employees get the chance to meet face to face with higher-ups and create connections that come in handy during promotion periods. They also get more access to advice, ideas, and guidance, which speeds up their professional development.
4. COLLABORATION
Offices foster collaboration, where employees can share ideas and develop them more easily. Communication among workmates is face to face; thus, it is easier to read moods, emotions, and other non-verbal cues that one may miss out on in remote communication. An office’s social foundation makes it easier for workmates to work together, boosting productivity.
HOW TO PROMOTE THE SHIFT BACK TO THE WORKPLACE
Change brings about a lot of discomfort and anxiety. Thus, you should not expect employees to snap back to the office environment. Returning to the pre-pandemic work culture should be done with patience and caution.
Here are some tips that will guide you in the process:
1. CREATING AN ADAPTABLE ENVIRONMENT
When working remote, employees created their ideal work environment. To make a smooth transition to the pre-pandemic office environment, the office must accommodate their varying needs. While one employee prefers to work in a quiet environment, another may prefer spaces where they can communicate face to face and socialise with others.
It is possible to create an adaptable workspace when employees get autonomy over their workspace and can express their preferences. Thus, a leader must consult with employees and maintain an open mind when creating an inclusive workspace.
2. ENSURING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The post-pandemic era has a newfound keenness for cleanliness. Thus, you may need to invest in building workstations where employees can work without worrying about illness. Makeshift changes, like using caution tape on seats to promote social distancing, may appear unattractive and off-putting.
You could consider changes like shifting the layouts, using aesthetically pleasing boundary elements or using planters to create circulation patterns. Your adjustments should create a welcoming feel where workers feel comfortable.
3. ADOPTING A HYBRID MODEL
One of the employee pain points with pre-pandemic office conditions is flexibility. Employees often feel tied to their work, impacting their quality of life and mental health. While working remote, employees have complete autonomy over their work hours, schedules, and other aspects that influence their productivity.
By adopting a hybrid model, you can get employees to return to the office but still retain the flexibility in working remotely. It creates a blend of the pre-pandemic office and remote working to ensure you get the best of both worlds. Employees can organise when they come into the office, depending on the work they need to accomplish.
4. CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE ATMOSPHERE
Returning to the office will likely take place in a phased manner, thus embracing a hybrid model. This is where some employees are working remotely on some days, using coworking spaces at times, or doing full-time office hours on others. Thus, the workplace may feel deserted on some days due to the empty workstations.
You can create work schedules where teams come in for face to face meetings. Consider unique designs that use colour, lighting, art, or other elements to make the meet-up areas more attractive. The hybrid model will have better chances when the workers look forward to collaborating and coordinating to work in the office on particular days.
Exemplary leadership is essential in motivating employees to return to the office. You will need to ask questions and listen to their needs to create conditions that attract them back and create a work-life balance.
The pandemic caused considerable disruption in the office culture, where many employees were working remotely. Despite the success of the remote working culture in some businesses, there is excellent value when employees work together.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM THE OFFICE
Some of the benefits associated with office work are:
1. TIME MANAGEMENT
Most offices have fixed working hours and breaks. Employees work during the slotted times, fostering a sense of discipline in completing tasks. Timelines and deadlines are also apparent in the office, which reduces the probability of procrastination.
2. WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Working remotely necessitates turning your home or a section of it into your office. This may have detrimental effects on the work-life balance, as the line between home and office becomes blurry., While working in the office, it’s easier to leave the work stress once you get off work due to the change in environment.
3. NETWORKING
When working from the office, the employees’ talent, work ethic, and true potential are more visible to the managers and other company executives. Employees get the chance to meet face to face with higher-ups and create connections that come in handy during promotion periods. They also get more access to advice, ideas, and guidance, which speeds up their professional development.
4. COLLABORATION
Offices foster collaboration, where employees can share ideas and develop them more easily. Communication among workmates is face to face; thus, it is easier to read moods, emotions, and other non-verbal cues that one may miss out on in remote communication. An office’s social foundation makes it easier for workmates to work together, boosting productivity.
HOW TO PROMOTE THE SHIFT BACK TO THE WORKPLACE
Change brings about a lot of discomfort and anxiety. Thus, you should not expect employees to snap back to the office environment. Returning to the pre-pandemic work culture should be done with patience and caution.
Here are some tips that will guide you in the process:
1. CREATING AN ADAPTABLE ENVIRONMENT
When working remote, employees created their ideal work environment. To make a smooth transition to the pre-pandemic office environment, the office must accommodate their varying needs. While one employee prefers to work in a quiet environment, another may prefer spaces where they can communicate face to face and socialise with others.
It is possible to create an adaptable workspace when employees get autonomy over their workspace and can express their preferences. Thus, a leader must consult with employees and maintain an open mind when creating an inclusive workspace.
2. ENSURING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The post-pandemic era has a newfound keenness for cleanliness. Thus, you may need to invest in building workstations where employees can work without worrying about illness. Makeshift changes, like using caution tape on seats to promote social distancing, may appear unattractive and off-putting.
You could consider changes like shifting the layouts, using aesthetically pleasing boundary elements or using planters to create circulation patterns. Your adjustments should create a welcoming feel where workers feel comfortable.
3. ADOPTING A HYBRID MODEL
One of the employee pain points with pre-pandemic office conditions is flexibility. Employees often feel tied to their work, impacting their quality of life and mental health. While working remote, employees have complete autonomy over their work hours, schedules, and other aspects that influence their productivity.
By adopting a hybrid model, you can get employees to return to the office but still retain the flexibility in working remotely. It creates a blend of the pre-pandemic office and remote working to ensure you get the best of both worlds. Employees can organise when they come into the office, depending on the work they need to accomplish.
4. CREATE AN ATTRACTIVE ATMOSPHERE
Returning to the office will likely take place in a phased manner, thus embracing a hybrid model. This is where some employees are working remotely on some days, using coworking spaces at times, or doing full-time office hours on others. Thus, the workplace may feel deserted on some days due to the empty workstations.
You can create work schedules where teams come in for face to face meetings. Consider unique designs that use colour, lighting, art, or other elements to make the meet-up areas more attractive. The hybrid model will have better chances when the workers look forward to collaborating and coordinating to work in the office on particular days.
Exemplary leadership is essential in motivating employees to return to the office. You will need to ask questions and listen to their needs to create conditions that attract them back and create a work-life balance.
What Will Bring People Back To The Office?
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