It’s not a secret that the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way people work. In the five years since the virus sent people to work remotely, companies have slowly rolled out return-to-office policies much to the dismay of workers.
According to a report by CISCO, there are more hybrid-work environments than ever before. Employees have showed positive sentiments around the flexibility of being in the office to have face-to-face connectivity and also being able to maximize productivity while working from home. However, there is still a disconnect with employers regarding the benefits of a hybrid office. The study found that large amount of employers overestimated the positive impact of return-to-office policies on employee productivity and wellbeing.
A majority of employees (77 percent) believed that rigid return-to-office policies were driven by a lack of trust by the employer. Only 39 percent of respondents believe that mandated in-office days boost work productivity. According to the study, only 28 percent of employees find the mandates beneficial to their well-being. In addition, 78 percent of respondents said that they would consider leaving a company if work policies were not flexible enough.
Even with the pushback that return-to-office mandates have received in recent months, employees do understand that there is a benefit to being in person. A majority of respondents (85 percent) said that being in the office helps with career advancements, and believe organizations are more willing to nurture top talent in person rather than remotely. According to the study, 92 percent of respondents agreed that community and collaboration are key aspects of office culture. A study by ezCater found that 80 percent of employees said that having friends at work make them more engaged, and only 43 percent of remote employees have a close work friend.
As employees overwhelmingly prefer flexibility of work, this allows leaders to bring teams together in-person for high-impact activities that are more meaningful for the individual. A hybrid work environment also cuts down the need for larger office spaces and leverage workplace technology to optimize the location they have. When implementing these mandates, employers need to be cognizant of experiences that deliver the kinds of unique value that drive people to the office while boosting company culture.
According to the ezCater study, 55 percent of employees wish their company offered more well-being initiatives like food. Eighty-six percent of Gen Z respondents said that daily or weekly employer-provided meals would improve their overall workplace experience. Meanwhile, as hybrid schedules only allow for a few in-office days a week, 60 percent of employees see these days for collaboration and connection. According to the study, top workplace requests include social spaces like outdoor areas and breakrooms or eating areas.
With all the changes that are coming to the workplace, it is essential that leaders listen to their employees and are completely transparent with their communication. According to the Cisco report, only 36 percent of employees felt that return-to-office mandates were explained clearly. Listening to top-performers will reveal important insights into company culture and provide opportunities to improve.
Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.
