"Returning to the office," is still a touchy subject.  More and more businesses are asking their employees to come back to their desks (and not the home office kind).  This has led to some employees simply quitting their jobs in search of opportunities that will allow them to continue to work at home.  Some reasons may be:

• They are immunocompromised or care for an immunocompromised family member.

• They feel more productive in their current remote setting.

• They have children or animals to care for.

• The commute!

There are ways to overcome a number of these issues and bring your employees happily back  to the office.  

Here are some of the best ways employers are encouraging communication, creating policies that match employee needs, and office reopenings less daunting:

Providing Flexibility For Employees Returning To The Office

You may think that returning to the office full-time is ideal but your employees may feel differently.  Listening to your employees and creating a plan that works for everyone can  help ensure that you retain your most productive and valuable employees.  Meeting employees halfway may mean the difference between them staying or finding another job with better flexibility.

Creating a Work Environment Employees Want To Return To

Employees want a supportive environment.  Office happy hours, pool tables, and snacks are a nice amenity but employees are looking for companies that care about them and their need for flexibility and work-life integration. 

You should consider including additional mental health support, child care stipends, flexible work hours, work from home technology stipends, and other amenities that acknowledge the new world we find ourselves in.  Understanding the real life issues your employees are facing and offering benefits that assist them will show them that you and your organization value them and want them to succeed. 

Opening Dialogue Between Management and Employees

The above suggestions are just that - suggestions.  You and your employees know best what they want and need.

Implementing new options and a flexible and inviting workspace your employees want to come to will require open dialogue and compromise.  This could come from personal one-on-one feedback from your valued employees, surveys, open email communication with an "ask" for feedback on what keeps employees happy in-office.

Getting this information is key but the follow-up and implementation are even more important.  Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk.

Being Clear On In-Office Work Policies

Ambiguity can be the difference between an employee wanting to come back to the office or them finding a new job.  If your employees are stressed about the direction the company is taking regarding work from home, hybrid or fully in-office workplace, they may just find another opportunity that eliminates the questions and added stress.

Ensuring that your employees are happy to come back to the office full-time or on a hybrid schedule is critical to your future success.  Happy, empowered employees make for a great work environment.

The goal, keeping your employees happy and engaged, is critical during a time of great talent shortage - a situation that isn’t going to go away anytime soon.  We are in an employment market where employees have multiple options, so making their return to your office seamless, filled with empathy, and with open communication will benefit your organization and ensure that you are the organization people want to work for.

Still curious on how to drive employees back to the office and not to another job?  Make sure to read our blog if you need continued help and support with workforce solutions.