Collected by Nguyen Hanh Tam – CHRO
Background: As the pandemic diminishes, many employers are asking workers to return to the workplace either full-time or on a hybrid basis.
Case Study – Ability Beyond:
Despite facility enhancements, many employees resisted returning five days a week. Leadership ultimately agreed on a hybrid schedule. Offering flexibility helps them compete against other employers with better salaries.
Survey Findings:
- Most employers are now encouraging office returns citing collaboration and workplace culture. Some also note concerns regarding employee loneliness.
- However, many employees prefer remote work, citing better work-life balance, savings on commute and attire, and increased productivity. 52% want to maintain this setup indefinitely.
Employee Reactions:
Despite some positive experiences returning, there has been opposition. Notable pushbacks were seen at Amazon, Apple, and Disney. Some consider leaving jobs if forced back to the office, especially among Gen Z.
Leadership Concerns:
- A disconnect in communication: CEOs showed empathy during the pandemic, but many aren’t maintaining that tone now.
- Productivity doubts: 85% of leaders feel hybrid work affects visibility into productivity, even though 87% of workers believe they’re productive.
- Business viability: Studies indicate concerns about long-term economic feasibility and declining productivity in certain sectors.
Job Requirements:
Different roles have different needs. While most employees in Farmington, N.M., returned without issues, some, like software engineers at Vegas.com, successfully negotiated reduced in-office days.
Human Element & Turnover:
For some, like Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, there’s a belief that in-person work fosters better collaboration and reduces silos. However, they experienced significant turnover when they initially resisted flexible arrangements.
Remote Work Guidelines:
Many companies lack formalized guidelines for remote work. 48% have ambiguous rules, 17% have none, and only 34% have clear policies.
Recommendations:
- Clearly defined remote work guidelines are vital.
- Leaders should offer training, tools, and surveys to help managers navigate hybrid models.
- Encourage teams to work in the office on the same days for collaborative benefits.
Written by Theresa Agovino, SHRM’s workplace editor.
