How to encourage a return to the office?

VonLuck

I expect this topic to be met with a bit of negativity, but please hear me out!

I work in a small office (circa 50 people) and we have largely been working remotely during Covid. There has been a return to a flexible working routine by many, whereby they would come in for as many days as they wanted. However, we've noticed that some people have either not returned at all, or only come into the office very occasionally.

I'm not in upper management, nor am I someone that's focused on the profitability of the company, but can see the negative impacts it's having on the company as a whole. There is much less engagement between people (which we rely on), there is a lower quality of output (due to lower supervision / access to help) and most importantly, very little social interaction and comradery.

I don't think a lot of people see the benefits from physically being in the office. Sure, there are occupations where remote working full time makes complete sense, but there are other roles where it does not. You have younger members of staff that need constant help (it's a lot more difficult to make a call to a manager asking a "basic" question than it is to ask your colleague sitting next to you), you have more experienced staff that learn new things or save time on their current task just from random conversations when getting a coffee and then of course there's the social aspects where you actually feel a part of the company and not some mindless and faceless job. I think the social parts are the most important and what makes where you work enjoyable and not something you dread doing day-in day-out.

I'm not in the position of actually hiring or managing these staff, but I don't like how things are panning out. I'm very much in favour of flexible working and regularly take advantage of working from home, so I'm not one of these people who want staff to be in 24/7. I also don't like the idea of people being forced to come into the office. This would only breed resentment and people will look elsewhere for work where they offer more flexibility.

So in reality people need to want to come into the office, particularly those who don't see the advantages I listed above. So how do you encourage people to return, even only on a limited basis? I'm thinking encouragement, things that would make you say "oh I don't mind going into the office today because of X, Y & Z". Is it maybe free lunches? Flexible start and finish times? Social events like beers after work? Would anything make you come back? I'd be interested to hear what you think.

Dial Hard

All the free sandwiches and social events in the world won't get people into the office who don't want to be there. Realistically, if management want/need people in, then they need to mandate it.

We have to be in the office on Tuesdays, no ifs, ands or buts (unless you have Covid symptoms/are a close contact, etc, obvs). Can work from home the other four days or go in if you want. I'm currently not seeing the value in dragging us all in even one day a week, but I go cause we have to and the fact that it *is* only one day makes it bearable.

So, while making attendance on a certain day compulsory may not be ideal from a culture/morale perspective, ime it's the only thing that will actually work.

Jim2007

The question you should be asking is how YOU will adapt to the new reality. The world is not going back to the past.

Stone Deaf 4evr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215884/how-to-encourage-a-return-to-the-office

flexible start and finish times are a start, but you may as well be work from home really, as you'll still have a shortfall of people who should be having face to face meetings on opposite sides of a flexi time arrangement.

Ultimately, it comes down to one thing. Money. people are saving by not travelling, and not meeting bores and timewasters. People have discovered the value of their time, be it the ability to pick up the kids from school, get a few jobs done , etc. They should be compensated properly for sacrificing that.

as for lunches and beers, thatd have me looking for employment elsewhere, the last thing most people want is to spend more time with people they have no choice but to be around.

dulpit

If there's an obvious benefit to the work you are doing, then being in the office is fine. But I know that I've been dragged to meetings that could 100% have been a simple email. I know a buddy who has a boss who is just old fashioned and believes that staff won't work unless they are in the office. In those scenarios, there's no reason why I'd volunteer to go in.

I reckon as Covid (hopefully) goes away, a more organic approach to work will happen. People can work in the office or at home or combined based on need of the work that is being done. This whole "you must be in x number of days" or "everybody must be in office on x day" will (hopefully) fade away.

ELM327

The old idea of working at an office is dying out. That was accelerated by covid, but was happening before anyway.

You won't be able to do this without mandating it - and if you do that, you risk staff attrition.

BronsonTB

Company would need stronger policy in place with a clear need for office attendance - Maybe certain days are 'office only'??

Overall management would need to see what works best for the balance between both but as you say if it goes on, risk of negative impact on the company. Not sure any 'encouragement' would work if the employee is against company back. Would need to be mandated that it's not a choice as such.

VonLuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101493#Comment_118101493

It's very difficult to achieve a consistent high standard of work remotely unfortunately. Work is still being done, but not as good as it used to be. Even personally I find that I ask significantly more questions when I'm in the office, and am asked a lot more questions as well, and it really increases learning as a result. I genuinely believe working from home 24/7 stymies learning and career progression.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101495#Comment_118101495

I think your last point is a key one. People in our office generally get on very well together. High attendance at work nights out and people actually socialise with each other outside of work, all pre-covid of course. It's something that's great to see and a reason why staff retention is high, because everyone gets on with one another! The last thing you'd want is someone who has no interest in chatting to you out of a work setting. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what someone wants, but it doesn't work well for our company. It is easier to discuss work with someone who you've socialised with. Kind of breaks down a wall where they become more approachable in an office setting.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101604#Comment_118101604

Stronger policies run the risk of loosing people. It will inevitably come down to that, but in an ideal world there should be incentives in place in advance where a mandatory number of days in the office a week is not seen as something painful.

I wonder, is the main part of the problem commuting time? I'm under 30 minutes from my office and so it's no big deal for me to go in for the day and might be easy for me to suggest returning to the office. I imagine it's a lot more of an effort for those living an hour or more away.

dulpit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101861#Comment_118101861

On your last point re. commuting time - that's a big issue, and even more so if you have kids. Who wants to spend 2-3 hours a day commuting, which is time away from your home and away from your family.?

Mrs OBumble

As a worker there's not much you can do, except for demonstrating the better opportunities and career progression available to people who show up, and refusing to pick up the slack from the stay-at-home-sammys.

If you're scheduling meetings, do them for school pickup times, and if someone say "no, I have to pick up my kids" make sure everyone knows why the time change (ie shame them into arranging suitable childcare).

If you're ever in a position to influence hiring, favour people who live close by.

bennyl10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

so effectively bully your staff to be in the office?

even when we've seen over the past 2 years WFH works very well

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

Bullying employees so... hardly surprising though that you’d be advocating that :)

Pawwed Rig

A day at the office.

Up at 6 am get the kids ready for creche. Drag them out of bed and scream at them to get dressed, brushbtheir teeth, schoolbags etc. Race to creche for the minute it opens at 7:30. Drop them quickly as I have 5 minutes between dropping them and getting my train. If I miss the train I will be late. Leave desk at 4:30 (8-4:30) on the button to get a train back. Collect kids at 5:30. Do homework, have dinner, bask in their joy for 25 mins and put them to bed. Back to work for an hour or 2 .

You can keep the free sandwich

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102676#Comment_118102676

Did you even read the first post in the thread?

The standard of reading comprehension you've displayed is one of the reason off-site working isn't as effective as co-location.

FGR

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

I take it you're being tongue in cheek here?

So if you're not available to attend a meeting as you have explosive diarrhoea then it's alright to call that out, too?

Also - if that is encouraged then expect a lot less trust and far more lies to be told. Work return will not improve.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118101861#Comment_118101861

You management does not seem to have an issue with it. You on the other hand come across as depending on the office for social interaction... You need to build up a new social network not reliant on the office.

Heart Break Kid

Why would you want people to return? Is the company performing to the same standard prior to covid?

.42.

When the circumstances are right and companies have followed guidelines, many companies will have their staff return to office.

There won’t be ifs or buts.

storker

I suspect that apart from the other benefits of working from home, many people are also enjoying the ability to put their heads down and concentrate for a reasonable amount of time without the incessant distractions that surrounded them in open-plan pre-pandemic hell. The people who study these things say that it takes 15 minutes to really get into a task and get productive with it. Every question from a colleague, every phone call, every loud conversation from another cubicle resets that clock and the 15 minutes start again (and some claim it takes even longer). Maybe some people love that level availability of their colleagues, but you be be sure that many of those colleagues feel very differently as they can easily go a whole week without getting into a productive groove. There's no need to reduce the number of questions asked per day if one is a little more structured about it .e.g. save them and put them in an e-mail, or schedule a 15 minute 1 to 1 conference call.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103610#Comment_118103610

Again, did you even read the original post?

FlubberJones

Heading back to the office on Thursday, it has opened since Monday but I'm just being too lazy to go back yet.

I know a number of people who've gone in and found the place really empty, with most taking the non compulsory attendance option.

Wanderer78

offer better childcare options, heavily subsidized, free if possible,

flexible working hours, particularly for parents,

hybrid system,

subsidized travel arrangements, free if possible,

four day working week

better pay and conditions

more paid time off

package that, and you have a winner

covid has caused people to reflect, and theyve had enough of the working world, as its clearly not truly designed to meet their needs, hence movements such as the big quit!

gauchesnell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215884/how-to-encourage-a-return-to-the-office

not sure why anyone would be in the office if they didnt have to....and Im sorry but I dont want social interaction or comradery with my work colleagues. Im there to work. I am back in the office in a blended format and so far no there is no benefit to me personally...just a longer commute. I actually find myself just looking forward to leaving asap due to the commute.

As for incentives for coming into the office you need more than free lunches or social events especially during covid times. Even when Im in the office all our meetings are still online so yes you have the ridiculous situation where people are in the office are having online meetings with other people also in the office.

I do have some colleagues who are happy to be back in the office but that is more reflective of their own personal situation (Bad wifi at home/lack of WFH space etc) not necessarily any additional benefits of the office itself.

Personally I get a lot more done at home. Im not one for chit chat in the office anyway. Being back in the office has no benefit to me at all. As other people have pointed out those sectors who can WFH have proven how successful it can be. The idea of needing to be in an office Mon - Fri 9-5 is very 2019.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102867#Comment_118102867

There's nothing tongue in cheek about bumbles advice. It's always written on old school crap micro management. Very much not results driven and by someone who consistently needs to know what's going on every minute of the day.

These people are generally managed out of good organisations.

Heart Break Kid

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103727#Comment_118103727

Yes I did.

.42.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103739#Comment_118103739

employees can reflect on getting new jobs if the refuse to return to office when required.

people think working from home is the future…. This bubble will have burst for most by this time next year.

Pawwed Rig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103792#Comment_118103792

Possibly but I started a new job recently and negotiated a permanent hybrid arrangement during the interview process. 2.5 days in office and 2.5 at home. I am sure others could negotiate a similar arrangement

The J Stands for Jay

Flexible starting and finishing, free breakfasts/lunches and free after work beers were all things in my job before Covid. That's not going to get me back in the office. Productivity is up massively since we left the office.

As for forcing people back, surely you could wait until the government actually stop recommending us all to work from home

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

If you want to work and promote a cut throat environment thats your choice. Just don't be surprised when someone leaves you high and dry when you need support from them.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215884/how-to-encourage-a-return-to-the-office

Better terms and conditions and flexible hours. More rewarding work. Good atmosphere. Good opportunities. Good management, structure. Clear and achievable objectives. Sense of progression, learning opportunities, ,

However the environment you describe even when you were in the office, doesn't sound like that. You can hardly sell people a vision that they already know is not true a second time.

.42.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103875#Comment_118103875

I think that’s a bit different as you were hired during a pandemic.

There will be no mention of WFH or hybrid working in most peoples contracts and large scale companies are in long leases on office space. They will get everyone back into the offices to justify leasing the office spaces

.42.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058215884/how-to-encourage-a-return-to-the-office

It will be simple for your company when they have followed guidelines or all restrictions are lifted

the will send out a communication to all staff giving a date to return to office.

everyone will have to return to the office.

anyone not returning will face disciplinary action against them.

Im pretty confident they will be around Q2/Q3 2022 for most companies

Chris_5339762

Well when it comes to the health service, after the cyberattack they killed off remote access for security reasons... fair enough... but it isn't back yet.

So all companies have to do is just say "security reasons" and block external IT access. Then everyone has to come in. Might piss people off, but the company as a whole generally doesn't care.

A-Trak

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

Wow wee,

Advising scheduling appointments with your peers specifically at times they can't attend so you can "Shame them."

How about be a decent person and schedule the meeting in line with people's calendars.

If a peer /team member, not a direct manager, schedules a meeting, who does that and who accepts? Hard decline, send a mail.

"Stay at home Sammies" Jesus Christ. And you talk about influencing hires.

Your workplace sounds lovely.

job seeker

If I was requested to return to the office, I'd probably leave like many other staff have already!

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/surge-in-resignations-as-employees-defy-bosses-on-return-to-office-1.4700869

I can only imagine the thought of having to deal with office politics again to be stomach turning to say the least..

Furze99

He who pays the piper calls the tune. And that's how it will be ultimately for most employees when this has all settled down.

Employees may think they are in a position of power as they can perhaps switch employers. May work for some, but there'll be plenty others who are expendable and can be replaced with staff that fit the business model.

I'm at the other end - you're only as good as your last customer. Employees should remember they're only as good as their last employer....

Pawwed Rig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118104223#Comment_118104223

It is different but people move jobs all the time. There are plenty of opportunities in this country. If my job didn't allow wfh I would be moving fairly quickly. Retention of staff is a massive issue so wfh will be offered to people to stop them leaving

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118104223#Comment_118104223

My whole company has been offered new contracts with place of employment now changed to blended or home.

My next door neighbour does similar work. Same.

And the fella 2 doors down wasnt home till 19:30 pre pandemic to deal with 2 other countries has obviously been told he will never have to return to an office.

Obviously there are jobs that need hands on. I for one am on building sites 2 or 3 days a week.

But the old fogies praying to get back in and bore us with tales of their weekend on the golf course need to realise it's all changed.

Most of us will not take a 9 to 5 in the office with commute again.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102812#Comment_118102812

• "Alternative facts" - Check
• Personal attacks - Check
• Dismissive attitude - Check
• Lack of empathy - Check
• Promotion of bullying and harassment - Check
• Victimisation and targeting of others with different circumstances - Check
• Encouraging discrimination in hiring practices - Check

wes

The question that needs to be asked is how your company can better adapt to the new way of doing things. Trying to drag unwilling people back into the office, will just result in them leaving for jobs that allow them the flexibility they want, and you might not be able to get new staff to replace those who leave, considering we have had a pandemic where a lot of people have died and many are suffering long term illness, which has shrunk the labour pool, and a lot of people who don't want to be dragged into the office.

Also, in regards to the social stuff, for a lot people that stuff is torture, and they hate it. People do not necessarily want to socialize with people in the office.

VonLuck

What I find interesting is the number of people who have no interest in socialising with their colleagues. Personally, I have my own social life and do not need to rely on my workplace to go for a drink or do some activity at the weekend, but at the same time I enjoy the odd after work event where you get to chat with them without it being all about some deadline you have to make.

There'd be nothing worse for me than to work for a company where the idea of having a casual conversation with a colleague is seen as a chore. That's not a good work environment in my opinion. Now, if you're an introvert then that's understandable as most have little desire to engage with anyone, let alone work colleagues.

If you get on with work colleagues you tend to be happier and more productive. You might dispute the latter, but I know for certain that you'll get more information and help from someone that you're friendly with than someone you dread having a conversation with!

oceanman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118106483#Comment_118106483

until they realise that you are probably using them to further your own ends!

Cdemess

All this talk of free breakfast and lunch, I’m in the wrong industry all together.

storker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118106483#Comment_118106483

@VonLuck "If you get on with work colleagues you tend to be happier and more productive. "

In may indeed be true that you tend to be happier in such a scenario, put you're assuming that one-size-fits-all in this regard. Some people are more productive when they're left alone to work in peace. You appear to be under the impression that your colleagues are happy to be available to answer your questions on demand. I suspect that with a significant proportion of them if you scratch the surface they'd tell you that regular interruptions are (a) annoying because (b) they are disruptive to concentration and thus productivity.

VonLuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118107191#Comment_118107191

I don't know what industry you're in, but I'm not sure how many people can work effectively in complete isolation. You learn so much from the experience of others. Do you think a graduate fresh out of college would progress as well WFH 24/7 compared to another grad who is physically beside his/her manager and is able to ask questions whenever they need to?

Sure the manager may see this as an interruption, but which is worse: being interrupted to have to answer a simple question or not being interrupted and then being presented with a problem down the line which could have been avoided by answering said question?

Frank Bullitt

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

The gift that keeps on giving.

This post would be funny were it not purely evil and sinister. Your (failing) quest against WFH is laughable at this stage, and thankfully you are in the minority when it comes to it.

If an employer were to do what you suggested, they would have a skeleton staff or go out of business in no time.

bokale

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

Christ.

I've seen your posts in other wfh threads but you really let the mask slip here.

Ugh.

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118102650#Comment_118102650

You are assuming that anyone else would be of the same mindset as you and would 'shame' a co-worker for picking their kids up from school. Flexibility benefits everyone so long as people don't take the pi$$. Most people, employers included, are happy to be flexible and allow the same flexibility for others.

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118107949#Comment_118107949

I agree with you re graduates. A family member works for one of the big 5 accounting firms in Dublin and has to mentor newer entrants on the graduate programme. They are finding it very difficult compared to doing it in person. It's much easier to ask a person a question when they are sitting beside you rather than scheduling a call or meeting to have something explained to you and it is just taking a lot longer for them to get their heads around things.

oceanman

i guess the only downside of remote working is that anyone with the same skill set can do your job, from anywhere in the world.

something employers may start looking at into the future.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118103792#Comment_118103792

again, we dont actually live on this magical planet where employees can just wonder from one job to another at ease, but it certainly sounds like a lovely planet, wherever it is!

people truly have had enough of our current working conditions, some employers are in for an awful shock over the coming months, as they struggle to fill positions, covid is rapidly changing things, and if some employers dont keep up, it ll be bye bye business

some businesses wont survive moving into the new year, for various reasons, pandemic supports for both employers and employees should have never been withdrawn fully, as time is needed for this re-adjustment, the last thing we need now is a whole pile of businesses going bust