In the wake of the pandemic, there’s been a notable return to traditional work settings, with 96% of companies resuming operations in a physical workplace. This widespread return-to-office (RTO) movement has been reflected across industries, and as most businesses transition back to the office, it’s evident that in the modern workplace, well-being requires reevaluation.
It’s also abundantly clear that organizations are at an impasse with their employee base when it comes to attempting to implement traditional pre-pandemic workplace practices. Critical gaps in RTO strategies have become apparent, showing a genuine need to reimagine in-office expectations. To properly set expectations, leaders need to understand employee preferences and concerns as well as explain the why behind the need for employees to be physically together.
As physical office spaces are reestablished as essential to business operations, leadership must harmonize policies with the varied expectations of employees. Intentional management of this alignment is critical to ensure both the continuity of business operations and balance for the employee, thus, decreasing dissatisfaction among employees, maintaining productivity and positivity, and providing flexibility for the workforce.
Taking the employee perspective into consideration creates a culture of inclusivity and support. Further, it helps in embracing diversity among the employee population, such as offering a more desirable work schedule for those who may be juggling other major life responsibilities. Once we understand employee concerns and feedback, it’s essential to craft a policy that is fair, consistent, and clear. The absence of said policy can lead to discord, strain on the cultural harmony, and a dissolution of team cohesion. Beyond considering feedback and concerns, communication is the key to success here. The policy should be thoughtfully articulated and give not only the “why” behind decision making but the “how” and “what.” In other words, why is it important for our employees to be together in the workplace, how will we keep track of adherence to the policy, and what are the repercussions if adherence fails?
Closing the RTO Gap
Easy right? Not so much. Success here hinges on multiple factors: integrating and leveraging workplace data, detailed analytics, and very clear communication. We cannot measure the success of our strategies in the absence of the right data insights and therefore, we cannot make smart business decisions. The data must be accurate and timely to provide real-time visibility into employee expectations and needs. This allows us to evolve our practices and find the best workplace strategies to meet attendance goals and maximize employee engagement. Detailed insight also allows us to strategically plan resource allocation and maximize office space.
Alongside increasing transparency, clear and consistent communication helps align employee expectations with strategic organizational goals. By highlighting that RTO policy updates are grounded on reliable workplace data, there is a deeper sense of trust and understanding across all levels of the organizations.
Leveraging the Right Tools and Analytics
Sophisticated analytics tools can gather and analyze data on how employees use office spaces, as well as garner insight into their preferences for remote versus in-office work. This information can help createpolicies that genuinely reflect employee needs and improve workplace dynamics. Through this data, companies can commit to ongoing office design improvements that accommodate diverse working styles. This can include creating more open spaces for collaboration, more isolated areas for focused work, and flexible spaces that can be adjusted to meet a variety of preferred environments. These inclusive spaces support employee mental health and improve overall satisfaction.
Frequent company events and activities that encourage face-to-face employee interactions can also create and strengthen workplace relationships. This may include informal coffee breaks and lunches or even structured team-building exercises that foster a culture of belonging and mental well-being, particularly for newly reconfigured spaces. Regular in-office collaboration days can also lead to better communication, stronger relationships, and more creative and innovative idea generation.
Targeted data collection tools help leaders to understand and respond to employee wants and needs, leading to higher job satisfaction and more engagement. When employees see that the way they work directly influences how their organization builds a work environment, it enhances their commitment to the company.
Through strategic use of workplace data, companies can create environments that cater to the diverse working styles and preferences of their employees. This tailored approach can lead to improved efficiency and productivity, as employees have access to spaces that best support their work style and personal comfort levels. When employees see that their input directly influences how their organization builds a work environment, it also enhances their commitment to the company.
Jacqueline Sharma is VP of People at Envoy.
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