What is your come back (to the office) plan?
Subtitle: Recreating company culture in a hybrid environment
Author: Kelly Link, Insights Specialist, Innovative Office Solutions
Organizations everywhere are welcoming their employees back to the office for the first time in over a year. In fact, many companies have already returned to the office or plan to by September 2021, and most have adopted a hybrid work model (blending work from home with in-office time). While the return to a somewhat “normal” is an exciting time, transitioning back to the physical office may be a challenge to some. In the new normal, “83% out of 9,326 workers surveyed say they prefer a hybrid model” (Accenture), while many agree the office is still necessary (CoreNet Global News).
Why hybrid?
Workers appreciate the flexibility of a hybrid work model. Many self-report productivity when working from home, and several like saving on commute time. On the flip side, many employees feel less connected to company culture and “67% want more in-person time with colleagues” (Microsoft’s Work Trend Index). Impromptu conversation and spontaneous knowledge sharing that happens in the workplace is currently absent but “the idea that everything needs to be in person has clearly been disproven” (Business Insider).
Why the office?
There are some activities that are not supported at home. Here are the top tasks employees are most likely to return to the office for:
- Scheduled meetings
- Connection with coworkers
- To use the printer or in-office equipment
Plus, there are items missing from the home office as well such as printer/scanners, extra monitors, adjustable height desks, and ergonomic chairs.
We have shifted from a workplace-centric to a worker-centric world where we are focusing on employees, their experiences, and creating environments employees wants to come back to. The new workplace purpose includes spaces that support learning, socialization and innovation, environments that foster company culture and express brand, places that support employee well-being, which can solve for the rising isolation and disconnect challenges we are currently experiencing.
What does the hybrid workplace look like?
It’s an office that supports in-person and virtual employees. It offers flexibility, integrates technology, and provides space types based on different activities employees perform. Activity-based working spaces include:
- Focus spaces such as workstations and phonebooths
- Collaboration spaces like conference and huddle rooms
- Community spaces, lounges and cafes
- Support spaces such as print areas and wellness rooms
- Provides access to connect to virtual staff throughout the workplace
To understand what your employees need, ask them! Re-energize and inspire your employees with the following tips and tricks:
- Start with your people
People have different feelings about returning to the office, some are more comfortable than others. Many employees are productive at home, and some are not. Most workers report that they have what they need at home and feel their work setting is suitable, but some items are still missing at home and certain tasks cannot be supported.
The biggest takeaway is that you need to start with your people and lead with empathy. Ask your employees how they are feeling and work on a plan that is effective for both the business and the individual.
- Create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) within your office.
Plan fun events like a welcome BACK (pack) event, gift employees branded backpacks to support the new hybrid work model. Share gratitude with your teams by offering a swag item to be picked up in the office or share a desktop decoration that employees want to come back to. Don’t forget to communicate and share on your social media to build that sense of FOMO!
- Communicate and be specific
Be specific on your come back plan guidelines and communicate them clearly. Encourage in-person check-ins, schedule team meetings in the office, or get creative with the team’s work schedule. Example: half day Monday’s, Friday’s off, and pick two of the following days to be in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).
It can be overwhelming, and you might not know where to start but that’s ok because Innovative’s got your back. We take a research-based approach to guide you and your business to successful solutions to help meet your business goals! Our new Insights with Innovative Program offers team workshops to support your company culture and productivity. Discovery Workshops drive employee engagement through interactive, co-creative sessions aimed to understand your employee’s workplace and technology needs. Our Strengths Workshops use the power of the well-respected Gallup StrengthsFinder tool to discover your teams’ unique talents and build effective teams. We’ll help you recognize what employees need, gather qualitative and quantitative data to prioritize decisions, create staff buy-in, and align your leadership team. With actionable recommendations we can implement quick wins right away and outline next steps to make your come back plan more successful.
Employees will still work from home while others work in the office, and you must ensure your workplace is set up to support this hybrid workforce. It should be a human-centric experience that starts at home and extends to the office. This experience needs to blend the physical and virtual, ensures connections with colleagues and company culture, while providing space for socialization, learning, and innovation. What will bring people back to the office? A more comfortable workstation than their home set up, scheduled in-person meetings, fun events where they can connect with colleagues, inspiring workplace experiences, if done right, you can create a purposeful destination, your workplace.
Much of the information from our blog is included in our Evolving Workplace Guide, it is an interactive document we are proving for FREE to help guide your business. Please contact Karla Gunderson at KGunderson@innovativeos.com for more information. She can also connect you with Kelly Link and Christine DeGrammont if you are interested in our Insights with Innovative program!
About Innovative
Innovative Office Solutions is a progressive, woman-owned, provider of office productivity solutions. Through a full portfolio including office products, furniture & design services, facility & breakroom supplies, print & graphic design, promotional products, and technology solutions, Innovative is more than just a name…it’s the culture.
