There Is No One Path Back To The Office

While most workers have returned to the office, a majority don’t want to return full time, and the complete return to the office remains in flux. This means that companies and organizations must walk a fine line to reopen offices properly and return to some semblance of normal operations.

Previously, the four types of organizations that will usher in the “future of hybrid work” and the questions to ask before reducing office space were highlighted. Challenges have included ongoing labor market uncertainty and new emerging Covid-19 variants.

Planning is nearly impossible at the moment. Before companies make significant decisions that may affect their future direction, they must understand the thinking of their employees. Despite trends within particular industries or regions, not everyone is in the same place with their comfort levels.

To understand what workers and companies thought, a national survey of more than 1,000 employed Americans was commissioned. The results were insightful and prove that “normalcy” is difficult to achieve and even harder to define.

Each organization faces a unique set of challenges. Data reveals that employees want a safe workplace and a hybrid option that will keep them safe from whatever variants emerge next.

What Does the Survey Show?

The survey revealed that employed Americans are united in their general expectations regarding returning to the office. However, they don’t agree on the impact the Covid-19 vaccination has on returning to and being in the workplace.

• ​Most working from an office pre-pandemic (54%) have already returned full time.
• ​Many workers who worked from an office pre-pandemic (51%) are not interested in going into one daily.
• ​Almost half (48%) of respondents reported that their employers want their organizations to come back to the office full time.
• ​A similar number (41%) want changes to the look and feel of the office when requiring employees to return full time.

These changes can include scheduling when teams are in the office, limiting conference room bookings, and mask and vaccination requirements. It continues to be a balance between the comfort level of employees and what a company needs to continue its success.

What Does it Mean for Organizations?

There is no single mandate course businesses should follow. Choices center on bringing employees back in person or pushing for remote work. Before taking action, organizations must understand what their employees think and feel. Given the unpredictable nature of the virus, plans may need to remain fluid for the foreseeable future.

Employers must communicate their actions and explain why, regardless of the course selected. Striking the right approach may challenge some companies, their leaders, and employees.

The survey revealed:

• ​71% of people working from home think employers should mandate employees show vaccination proof to return in person.
• ​70% say employers should give incentives to employees who are vaccinated.

Employees on both sides of the issue have strong opinions about working in person or remotely, furthering the balancing act employers must embrace.

The path forward will vary considerably from one industry to another. The one constant is the necessity for safety while organizing the office and its operations to guarantee that safety as new variants emerge.

Why Do People Want to Return?

The workplace is dynamic and constantly evolving. One clear constant is the personal connection.

When asked what they miss about working in the workplace, many Americans working from home due to Covid-19 miss:

• ​Social time with colleagues (37%)
• ​In-person collaboration and meetings (29%)
• ​A dedicated workspace or assigned seat (29%)

However, 55% do not miss the work commute.

What Does This Mean?

The poll revealed that most employees concur on mandated vaccination proof, employer inducements for receiving the vaccine, and mandatory masking for all employees (70%). However, 10% of employed Americans said they do not plan to get vaccinated for Covid-19, bringing another practical conundrum to companies.

Other results, including preferred remote versus workplace split, are mixed.

Notably, 43% would quit their jobs if their employer forced them to return to the office daily.

Companies need to consider their employees’ concerns and balance the needs of the business, what is best for the company, and what is best for their employees. While it is not an easy task, it isn’t insurmountable as long as employers regularly communicate the options and are willing to adjust as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic.

While most workers have returned to the office, a majority don’t want to return full time, and the complete return to the office remains in flux. Companies and organizations must walk a fine line as they reopen their offices and work toward “normalcy” in the workplace.