How Bosses Can Lure Remote Workers Back To The Office
Businesses around the world have been grappling with how to bring their workforce back into the office after months of remote work due to COVID-19. Employers are eager to get employees back in person, but many employees are now pushing for more permanent remote arrangements. This has sparked a power struggle between bosses and employees, with employers striving to find ways to lure their remote workers back.
How can employers bring their remote workforce back to the office while ensuring they are comfortable and safe?
Remote Work Has Risen Since COVID-19
The pandemic has sparked a surge in remote work, with 3.4% of Americans reporting they worked from home at least some of the time during 2020 before the pandemic. However, this figure rapidly rose to 62% during and after the pandemic, showing how quickly businesses had to adjust to accommodate remote work.
The pandemic has shown how successful businesses can be when operating remotely. In some cases, employers have seen an increase in productivity from their remote employees due to the lack of distractions in home offices. A study conducted by Stanford University researchers shows that employees who worked from home during the pandemic were more productive than their office-based counterparts by 9% in the Summer of 2022.
These trends are likely to continue if businesses want to maintain their staff, and employers may need to consider how to make remote work as efficient and comfortable for their employees.
However, some employers have the misconception that their employees are more productive in person, and are eager to get them back into the office.
Are you in need of a few ideas on how to welcome your employees back to the office?
Shifting Power Dynamics
The current climate has shifted the power dynamic between employers and employees. No longer are employees willing to simply follow orders; they now have more control over how, when, and where they work. More often than not, workers are pushing for more permanent remote arrangements that allow them to meet their commitments while managing their personal lives.
Employers need to understand how to meet the needs of their employees to lure them back, while also getting back into the office. The solution lies in a hybrid model that allows employees some flexibility, while still having them come into the office on occasion.
The Hybrid Model Is The Solution
A hybrid model is a combination of remote and in-person work that allows employees to have more flexibility, while still having the benefits of working in person.
A study done by Owl Labs shows that remote and hybrid workers were 22% happier than their in-office counterparts. They were also found to be less stressed, more productive, and less likely to quit.
This hybrid model gives employees the flexibility they need while allowing bosses to maintain their workplace culture. It also helps to keep staff turnover low and reduces the cost of office space.
Employers should also consider how they can make remote work more enjoyable for their employees. One way to do this is to provide them with the right tools and resources they need to work remotely. This includes things like headsets, webcams, monitors, and other tools that employees need to make their remote working experience enjoyable.
Employers should also consider how they can make the office a more attractive place to work. Offering perks such as flexible hours, free food, and social events are all great ways to make employees feel like they are part of a team.
Workers Will Continue To Push For Remote Work Options
While employers may be eager to get their employees back, workers will continue to push for remote work options. This means employers need to come up with creative ways to lure them back, while still meeting their needs.
Offering employees the option of a hybrid model is one way they can do this. This allows employers to appeal to their employees by giving them the flexibility they need, while still maintaining their culture and keeping costs low.
Also, employers need to focus on how they can make remote work more enjoyable. Making sure employees have the right tools and resources, as well as offering perks such as flexible hours and free food, can help to make remote work more enjoyable.
Show Your Workers A Virtual Office Tour With Indoor Drone Videos
Learn more about how you can get a virtual office tour of your building!
Employers need to recognize how the pandemic has shifted the power dynamic between employers and employees. They need to understand how to meet the needs of their employees to get them back into the office, while still offering the flexibility they need.
Thankfully, the hybrid model allows employees some flexibility while still having them come into the office on occasion. Employers should also focus on how they can make remote work more enjoyable and how they can make the office a more attractive place to work.
Virtual drone tours are a great solution for employers who are looking to introduce a hybrid model for their employees. They give employers the opportunity to show their employees what the office will look like, without having to physically be there. By taking this step, employers can get employees excited about coming back to the office, while still giving them the flexibility and freedom of remote work.
For instance, Lowe’s recently created a virtual tour of their office space with the help of our expert team at Indoor Drone Tours. It allowed them to show employees how their office aesthetic was transformed since the pandemic into a more creative, modern, and collaborative space. Plus, through their indoor drone tour, they can easily showcase the synergy among employees while fostering inventiveness and innovation.
Indoor Drone Tours is the prime provider of virtual drone tours. We provide high-quality indoor drone photography and videography, giving employees a virtual tour of the office from the comfort of their own homes.