Are we doing enough to encourage people to return to work?

As covered by the Guardian last summer, the UK has emerged as Europe’s work-from-home (WFH) capital, with up to 40% of the population working away from the office at least some of the time. This shift to remote work has led to an almost overnight increase in unused office space across the country, raising concerns about the future of workplace dynamics and commercial real estate utilization.

As the work landscape continues to evolve, the question arises: Are we doing enough to encourage people to return to the workplace?

Whip approach: coercion rather than persuasion.

Some companies have adopted a slightly more draconian stance, using the threat of unemployment as a means of forcing employees back into the office in order to redeploy underutilized office space. According to a January 2023 Business Insider report, this approach suggests that employers are using economic uncertainty as a cudgel, implying that refusing to comply with return-to-office mandates could lead to termination. There is.

However, this enforcement method can backfire for several reasons. First, trust between employees and management is undermined. Trust is the foundation of effective teamwork and employee engagement. Once damaged, it can be difficult to rebuild. This approach can also lead to low employee morale. Workers who feel forced to return to an office environment may experience increased levels of stress and dissatisfaction, which in turn can impact productivity and quality of work.

Such tactics ignore the benefits that flexible working arrangements also bring to many individuals. The ability to work from home has improved employees’ work-life balance, shortened commuting times, and provided a more personalized work environment, leading to increased productivity. By ignoring these benefits, companies risk alienating a significant portion of their workforce who have come to value these aspects of their work lives.

The potential for increased employee turnover is also a major drawback of the stick approach. Seasoned professionals in today’s job market have a choice, and many may choose to leave an employer they feel does not respect their needs or autonomy.

Treating your staff this way can also damage your brand’s reputation. Perceptions of being an authoritarian or inflexible employer can deter prospective employees from applying and may deter shoppers from purchasing.

The carrot approach: incentives and temptations.

More and more employers are exploring creative and proactive strategies to bring employees back to the office, as opposed to more coercive tactics. As reported in an April 2022 Forbes article, these strategies range from tangible benefits like free gourmet meals, enhanced on-site health and wellness programs, and commuter subsidies to These range from more substantive incentives such as fostering a personal community and providing opportunities for personal and personal interaction. Professional growth in an office environment.

Employers are also redesigning workspaces to make them more inviting and conducive to productivity and collaboration. This includes creating more open and flexible work areas, investing in ergonomic furniture, incorporating green space, and ensuring access to natural light. All of this is aimed at creating a healthier and more attractive workplace. The rationale behind these initiatives is that if employees perceive their office environment to be superior to their home office in terms of comfort, amenities, and opportunities for collaboration, they are more likely to find value in commuting. It means that it will become.

These positive incentives are based on the understanding that modern employees value autonomy and work-life balance. By offering benefits that directly align with these values, employers demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and professional development. This approach not only encourages attendance at the office, but also strengthens employer-employee relationships and fosters loyalty and a sense of belonging among employees.

The carrot approach better recognizes the changed work landscape and the diverse needs of the modern workforce. By prioritizing persuasion over coercion and offering incentives that truly improve the work experience, employers can create compelling reasons to return to the office.

Create a workspace worth coming back to.

Transforming your office space into an environment your employees want to return to requires more than just cosmetic upgrades. It requires a strategic design approach that prioritizes both the physical and psychological needs of employees. Research and practice have shown that a well-designed office environment can have a significant impact on an organization’s productivity, well-being, and ultimately its financial health.

Research by the World Green Building Council shows that office design can impact productivity and health, highlighting factors such as indoor air quality, natural light, and the presence of natural elements. Factors can improve employee performance by up to 11%.

To create a successful office renovation that is truly appealing to your employees, you need to address several key areas.

• Layout: Office layouts should encourage both collaboration and individual focus. Open-plan offices foster a sense of community and make collaboration easier, but they need to be balanced with private areas and quiet zones where employees can focus on work without distractions.
• Lit: Natural light is highly valued for its positive effects on mood and energy levels. Whenever possible, office design should maximize the amount of natural light that penetrates the workspace. In areas with low natural light, installing LED lighting that mimics natural light can reduce eye strain and improve concentration.
• Design and aesthetics: Office aesthetics can have a huge impact on how employees feel about their workplace. Office renovations should incorporate biophilic design elements such as brand colors, art, and plants, which can enhance the visual appeal of the office and create a more inviting environment. Ergonomic furniture and equipment are essential to ensuring that employees can work comfortably without putting their physical health at risk.
• Health status: Offices with features aimed at promoting employee health, such as fitness centers, relaxation areas, and even spaces for meditation and yoga, not only contribute to employees’ physical health, but improve their overall health. It also demonstrates your employer’s commitment to healthy health.
• Includes: Workplaces that don’t provide adequate accommodations for parents, people with disabilities, and employees with different religious beliefs are unlikely to have all of their employees willing to return. Inclusive workspaces also help foster a greater sense of belonging. Millennials and their Gen Z staff in particular consider inclusivity important when choosing a company to work for.

Encouraging employees to return to the office in a post-pandemic situation requires a nuanced approach that balances incentives with an understanding of modern working preferences.

Although coercive strategies may provide immediate benefits, they do not address the long-term goal of creating a fulfilling work environment. By investing in office space that provides positive incentives and prioritizes employee well-being, companies can develop more engaged and productive employees.

The future of the workplace is not just a place to work, but a space where employees feel truly valued and inspired.