There’s been a lot of buzz lately about companies requiring workers to return to the office. Now that many consider the pandemic a thing of the past, employers are hoping to turn back the clock. The risk of turnover for companies that deny workers remote flexibility is high. Workers have made their preferences clear. Still, many business owners see a need for more in-person collaboration.
That’s fair enough. It is difficult to replace all in-person connections with Zoom meetings and online chatrooms. This is especially true if you and your employees are surrounded by distractions at home. However, threatening your workers if they don’t return to the office isn’t the best idea. An abrupt announcement that forces workers to move quickly or find childcare arrangements will also be unwelcome.
When companies present a return to on-site work in the wrong way, workers are likely to feel dissatisfied and resentful. Dissatisfied and resentful employees are rarely productive, and they’ll likely scope out other opportunities. You can take the sting out of such situations by preparing your workers in advance and compromising. Here are 3 major companies requiring workers to return to the office (in the right way):
Top 3 Companies Requiring Workers to Return to the Office
Apple
Last summer, Apple announced that their employees had to return to the office at least 3 days per week. They received plenty of pushback, and 56% of workers said they were actively looking for other opportunities after the announcement. Over time, however, more employees might find this to be a good compromise. CEO Tim Cook even qualified the mandate by stating: “That doesn’t mean we’re going to be here [for] five days. We’re not. If you were here on a Friday, it would be a ghost town.” Apple understands that hybrid work is beneficial and employees benefit from added flexibility. This is why they’re only asking workers to return to the office part-time. The new requirements also won’t go into effect until this May, which gives workers plenty of time to adjust.
Like Apple, Google is requiring employees in many U.S. locations to return to the office 3 days a week. They believe balance is the key to success moving forward. Additionally, they’re still allowing employees to enjoy a high level of flexibility. Some employees have been approved to stay 100% remote full-time. The company is also offering “work from anywhere weeks” that workers can look forward to. The idea is excellent, as it respects employees’ wishes and is in line with the evolution of the workplace.
Uber
Uber has opted for a hybrid model, which requires employees to return to the office 50% of the time. They’ve designated Tuesdays and Thursdays as “anchor days” during which all employees must be at work. However, they’re also allowing workers to work from anywhere for four weeks out of the year. Some employees can stay fully remote depending on the demands of their role. In order to make this decision, Uber relied on direct employee feedback. As Chief People Officer Nikki Krishnamurthy explained, “employee feedback tells us that when people work in the office regularly they are more engaged, have a stronger sense of belonging and report overall higher satisfaction with work.”
Enhance Your Office in 2023 by Partnering with 1Rivet
1Rivet’s core foundation is ensuring client success, and we make sure to deliver value and quality work as a strategic partner to our clients. To learn more about making a return to the office, please email us at ashleigh.fiora@1rivet.com.
