It’s happening. More and more employees are returning to the office. Some are choosing to go back, while others are being pulled back by policies. Deep down, we probably all knew this day would come. While we’ve discovered some jobs that can be 100% remote, most jobs need at least some time in the office. And there’s also this continued desire to “go back to normal,” which is driving some of this too.
You can be sure there are all kinds of feelings about this return. Some people love working in the office. If that’s you, then chances are you’re already back. This means most of the employees still working from home love it! You love the flexibility, the dynamic, or whatever other positives there may be for you. And you have zero desire to go back.
The reality, however, is that there may be a true need for your job to be done in the office at least some of the time. But there are some things that can help.
If you’re a leader, it’s important to remember that it’s not as simple as just asking/requiring your employees to come back to the same workplace they had in 2019. (Unless you want them to read more about how to leave a job well!) A lot has changed. If you want to retain your employees, you’ll need to make some changes.
If you’re an employee who is hesitant to return, figure out what your core concerns and hesitancies are. And then you’ll need to come up with some possible solutions.
The good news is I’m here to help you! There are a few topics that keep coming up over and over. Whether you’re coming at this as a leader or an employee, focusing on these areas can help you make the return to office better for yourself and everyone around you.
This post is sponsored by Criterion Technology, Inc.
Increase Flexibility
You knew this was coming, so I made it first! Going from 100% remote to 100% in-office isn’t going to work. Yes, hybrids can absolutely be really difficult. But flexibility is where we are. There’s no going back (if you want to keep your employees). Flexibility can keep working moms from leaving, and it’s great for everyone else too. So, let’s figure out a realistic way to do it.
It can help to start from a different perspective. It used to be that we started with a 100% in-office perspective and then figured out how much could be done remotely. Given how long some employees have worked remotely, though, that won’t work anymore.
Instead, start with the current dynamic. If everyone is 100% remote, start from that perspective, and then figure out what needs to be done in-office. Perhaps it’s ideal for everyone to be in-office on Tuesdays for team meetings, collaboration, and camaraderie. Or perhaps you need a few people in the office each day. Decide what’s needed, and back into your plan.
Involve your team in this decision as well. They may have ideas as well as specific needs that should be taken into account. There are a lot of types of flexibility, so you can get creative and see what meets everyone’s needs.
Once you have a plan, suggest trying it for a few weeks. Big changes like this aren’t usually created perfectly the first time. Try it for a few weeks, see what works and what needs to be tweaked, and try again.
Create a Safer Workplace
In the midst of trying to come up with exciting ways to entice people back to the office, it’s important to remember the basics. Everyone wants to feel safe at work. Safety is one of the most foundational needs to meet. And if employees have any concerns about safety, a return to the office is going to be tough.
One of the simplest ways to provide a safe workplace is to have security cameras. And Criterion Technology, Inc. can help you protect them. Depending on your industry, you may have some unique needs in order for your cameras to operate effectively. You’ll want to place cameras in locations that encourage safe behavior from employees and customers. Plus, you’ll want to safeguard your company and its assets. Criterion Technology is highly experienced with Injection Molding Optics and can walk you through options for your company. There’s so much more to this than I’d realized for a long time. And, bonus, you can really impress people by throwing around the terms you’ll learn!
Protect Individual Work Time
One of the biggest loves of working from home is you can concentrate more! Many people feel they are more productive and creative when working remotely. So, it’s important to safeguard that in your in-office plans.
There needs to be a balance of collaboration and individual work. Relationships and alone time. This isn’t the time to resume all the meetings that used to occur. Make sure meetings are necessary and helpful. Block out times for focused, non-interrupted work. (A flexible arrangement that allows for remote work can help with this too.)
Ask What Else
As a leader, involve your team in the return to office discussions. Be proactive in sharing the information you know and the ideas you already have for the return. Then, find out what you’re missing. Ask for their feedback and what other ideas and needs they have.
The return to the office is here, and it’s going to become more and more common now. With planning, preparation, and creativity, you can do it in a way that really is great for everyone involved.
Photo credit: By siriwannapatphotos / Canva
