For two years, employers nationwide have dreaded and resisted the so-called “return-to-work.” But now that it’s here, the Great Return is shaping up to be far less dramatic than the Great Resignation.
According to a new survey by workplace platform Envoy, 90% of those returning to in-person work say that being back in the office is better than expected — even those who were forced back — thanks largely to the camaraderie of coworkers. Nearly half of workers said that casual interactions with colleagues are the most exciting part of returning to work, while 47% said they just needed to get out of the house.
“When I think about the best work environment for our well-being, two things come to mind: the people and the purpose,” says Annette Reavis, chief people officer at Envoy. “You need to have people you care deeply about and who care about you.”
The ups and downs of the pandemic had long put office returns on the back burner, but now that companies are trying to instill some sense of normalcy and move beyond COVID restrictions, hybrid schedules are back on the table. According to survey respondents, 40% of workers are back full-time while 60% are in 1-4 days a week.
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While it is a pleasant surprise for employers and employees alike that the return to work is less painful than anticipated, adjustments will still need to be made to ensure in-office productivity, Reavis says.
“In some ways we’ve lost the rhythm of working in the office,” she says. “And yes, it’s a type of skill that needs to be refreshed after so long.”
Eighty-six percent of respondents said they need to reboot essential workplace skills including time management, presentation skills, proper posture and even trivial things like small talk and picking the right outfit for work.
“Become a cheerleader for in-person collaboration,” Reavis says. “Encourage people to take one-on-one meetings or coffee outings or walks. You’ll want to take advantage of these moments to build connections.”
Thirty-six percent of employees say they’re reserving priority meetings and collaborative work for days they’re onsite. And sitting in the office does not mean employees have skimped on flexibility in scheduling: Almost 33% of employees said they also prioritize taking breaks while at the office, including running personal errands, a common habit for those who work from home.
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Striking that balance will be key to keeping employees engaged and happy as they settle into remote work, Reavis says. And embracing feedback and conversations between workers and managers can help build a new kind of support system.
“Make their time in the office worthwhile,” says Reavis. “Encourage teams to come in together for specific meetings. Also help them to distinguish what they can do best together from what they can do when working from home.”
