After experiencing a drastic shift to remote work settings in the past few years, our world begins to re-adjust into physical workplaces and face-to-face interactions. Return to Office (RTO) is the process of transitioning from remote to physical work environments, encompassing a wide range of benefits and challenges as well as various policies and considerations.
As we continue to become familiar again with what once we knew as normal, it is important to consider the necessary steps we must take to fully integrate what we have learned over the previous years and create a smooth transition into physical work spaces.
This blog will help to prepare anyone who is planning to return to the office by acknowledging key benefits and difficulties that may arise and several tips and guidelines to support this shift.
Physical work environments foster direct and engaging communication and collaboration between employees. Face-to-face conversations build understanding between individuals which improves productivity and problem-solving capabilities across team members of an organization
RTO can facilitate strengthened connections between employees which results in a greater sense of community and belonging. As a result, employees are more likely to portray a shared company culture and identity as they showcase the same emotions of commitment and similar aspirations for achieving their organizational goals.
This transition often helps to create a more structured daily routine as work-related responsibilities and tasks are clearly defined and separated from those at home. Often this structured lifestyle improves work-life balance as individuals are able to dedicate specific amounts of time to work commitments while also ensuring they spend time doing the things they love.
RTO and in-person interactions often provide a great environment for mentoring, coaching and learning due to direct communication with fellow employees and leaders. Truly understanding expectations, methods to success and creating bonds with mentors can lead to a path of professional growth and future career advancements within the workplace.
Offices typically provide many technological and logistical resources that may not be available or as effective in a home setting. This includes access to high-speed internet, printing facilities, and efficient work environments. Additionally, observing others around you also acts as a key resource to growth and learning as employees can learn new approaches to tasks and responsibilities.
A large component of communication that is easily misinterpreted through online work settings is body language and facial expressions. RTO provides an environment with reduced misunderstandings and clearer communication which in turn supports efficiency within the workplace.
One of the most immediate and impactful challenges of RTO is the stress caused by commuting as the process can be time-consuming and complicated, especially for those who have to travel long distances or those without access to a vehicle. This can disrupt work-life balance and overall well-being.
Returning to office settings often result in more rigid structured work schedules and less personal control over the work environment. Remote settings on the other hand provide greater flexibility in work hours and task management. As we have become comfortable and familiar with remote environments, it can be difficult to make this adjustment.
Working from an office can lead to increased costs for both employees and employers. Employees might spend more on commuting and daily expenses like meals, while employers have increased overheads related to maintaining office spaces. As a result, employees and employers may have to become more aware of their spending habits and be financially cautious.
Returning to the office can definitely raise concerns about health and safety especially after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic in the past few years. Fear regarding infections and safety hazards are prominent in many people’s minds which may cause reluctance to return to in-person work environments.
As we have become comfortable with greater flexibility and the comfort of being in our own homes while working in remote settings, many individuals resist to change this lifestyle that they have been accustomed to. This resistance can result from the loss of personal autonomy over their work environment or from having established a home routine that they find more productive or satisfying.
Voluntary return is often a policy used when first introducing RTO as it eases employees into the physical workplace without a sense of pressure to do so. Companies can offer the choice to work from home or from the office, depending on their personal preferences and job requirements. This policy is very flexible as each employee can determine if they are able and willing to return to the office and they can choose when they would like to do so.
Within a hybrid RTO policy, employees work from both their homes and the office which often includes different variations. There may be a fixed schedule for particular days of the week that employees work from the office. Another variation may include employees choosing when to work from the office based on their own preferences.
Check out Litespace for its efficient and easy-to-use Smart Hybrid Scheduling tool. Litespace recommends the best office days for your teams, taking into account who's coming in, upcoming events, and your RTO policy.
This RTO policy requires all employees to return to the physical workplace on a full-time basis. This typically applies to roles that require employees to be present in the office or where the company believes in-person interactions are crucial for increasing productivity and strengthening company culture.
This particular RTO policy involves gradually increasing the number of days that employees spend in the office. This ensures that employees become adjusted to the transition first and allows the organization to modify policies based on feedback and regulate employee response.
It is crucial that companies provide clear and consistent communication about the RTO timeline, process and expectations. The organization should explain the reasoning for this transition, the benefits it offers and how it will be implemented. Regular updates and considering employee feedback can encourage a smooth transition and minimize hesitancy towards this shift.
Recognizing that employees have different circumstances and preferences portrays compassion and understanding from employers. It's important to use flexible RTO policies, especially when first introducing the plan which can include varying start times, choices between different hybrid models, or support for those facing challenges like childcare or commuting issues.
Implementing and enforcing health and safety measures can help ease anxiety and reluctancy associated with returning to in-person office settings. Precautions such as sanitizing stations and social distancing measures can ease concerns of those who may be worried about returning to work.
Using surveys, meetings or informal feedback channels to understand how employees are adjusting to the RTO policies can foster open communication and create a sense of belonging for employees as their opinions are heard and acknowledged. This approach aims to show employees that their well-being is a top priority and can help to refine the RTO policy if need be.
As we continue to move past the events of the past years, RTO policies can act as the big step in this transition. Navigating the complexities of a RTO policy requires thoughtful planning and open communication across an organization.
As organizations implement RTO, the key to success lies in fostering an environment that not only prioritizes productivity and collaboration but also supports the well-being and professional growth of its workforce.
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Tiana Parikh is a Marketing & Content Intern at Litespace with a background in business management and marketing. She strives to incorporate her passion for digital marketing and creativity with Litespace’s HRTech platform to foster productivity and a sense of community.
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