Should employees come back to the office?

Changing working practices: a retrospective

‍

Since the health crisis, ways of working have changed. Telecommuting has seen exceptional growth in recent years. In 2022, 52% of French managers teleworked at least one day a week(2).

‍

While hybrid working policies have become more widespread in France, the office is still very much part of everyday life. On average, the French go to the office 3.5 days a week. In Belgium, it's even 3.7 days. Other European countries have hybrid working policies more favorable to telecommuting, with 2.2 days in the UK and 2.6 days in the Netherlands(1).

‍

Remote working has been democratized and will continue to grow in the years to come. Employees are reluctant to return to the office every day. Do you want to remain competitive in the job market, retain your staff and attract new talent? A return to 100% face-to-face working is no longer an option.

‍

Figures to remember 📊

• 58% of workers think that working from home helps them concentrate(1).
  

• 28% say that noise is a major annoyance in the office(1).

• 22% complain of a lack of privacy when making office calls(1).

‍

Remote working: advantages... but not only!

‍

Well-being and productivity

‍

You've probably heard of it, but here are the top 3 advantages of teleworking. 

‍

#1 Unbeatable flexibility

‍

Work organization is becoming increasingly flexible. To respond to these new models, workspaces are being transformed and new types of space are emerging. This context favorsactivity-based working, where employees can choose their workspace according to their daily activities. Depending on their needs for concentration, proximity to home or exchanges with colleagues, employees decide where they will work: coworking, offices, workation, home office...

‍

#2 Increased productivity

‍

Studies show that telecommuting has a positive impact on company performance and employee well-being(3). Working from home facilitates tasks requiring concentration or confidentiality. Solicitations and social interactions are also considered less important than in the office.

‍

#3 A balance that feels good

‍

Employees find it easier to reconcile their personal and professional lives, by reducing their daily commute between home and the office. For employees, this is the main impact of this new mobility.

‍

Challenges to meet

‍

Of course, teleworking brings its own set of challenges. The deterioration of communication and collaboration, as well as the weakening of corporate culture, are well-known risks of hybrid organizations. Distance alters working relationships, and adjustments must be made to ensure team cohesion. From asynchronous communication tools to corporate rituals, there are numerous solutions for setting up an effective hybrid model.

‍

So the question here is not to go back to 100% face-to-face, but rather how to strike a balance between telecommuting and face-to-face?

‍

Successful return to the office: 4 strategic tips

‍

Hybrid flexibility: the right compromise

‍

Working in the office or remotely? Our answer to this dilemma: don't choose! Offering a hybrid model allows you to benefit from the advantages of telecommuting (reduced commuting, increased productivity and well-being, etc.), while limiting the associated risks (reduced sense of belonging, social isolation, etc.). Striking the right balance is essential to satisfy both employees and employers.

‍

{{figure-1}}

‍

Use our 30-question survey to find out the ideal face-to-face/teleworking ratio for your company.

‍

Back in the office: a quest for meaning

‍

Give meaning to office life with positive measures that will make your employees want to get out and about. The new role of the office is to create a place for social interaction! To achieve this, create team and company-wide rituals - seminars, weekly team meetings, one-to-one meetings. The aim? Create a bond. Discover our guide to creating bonds in hybrid teams 👇

‍

‍

Workspaces: the big clean-up

‍

To keep your employees coming back to the office, offer them inspiring and attractive workspaces:

• redesign your offices around your employees' needs;
• create spaces for collaboration and creativity;
• allocate areas for socializing;
• rethink your office design.

‍

To take things a step further, offer your employees an unrivalled experience at your head office with workspitality. It's all about borrowing the codes of the hotel industry to make the office a real place to live. Integrate services such as catering, sports or concierge services into your premises. Emphasize satisfaction and comfort, and make your employees feel as pampered as hotel guests. There's no better way to ensure your staff's well-being.

‍

Transparent communication: a sure bet

‍

The key to any organizational challenge is communication. Whether you choose to bring your staff back into the office 1 day a week or 4, it's essential to communicate your decision, and the reasons behind it, transparently to your teams.

‍

Transparent communication allows you to :

• better understand your employees' concerns;
• adapt your hybrid working policies accordingly. 

‍

For a smooth return to the office, listen to your colleagues and take the time to explain your approach.

‍

‍

Returning to the office is an undeniable trend. However, we're not talking about saying goodbye to telecommuting. Companies are looking for a balance between face-to-face and remote working. Our advice? Give meaning to working in the office by setting up rituals and unique experiences.

‍

‍

‍

<hr>

‍

<font size="-1">Nos sources</font>

‍

<font size="-1">(1) https://www.jll.co.uk/en/trends-and-insights/research/is-hybrid-really-working </font>

‍

<font size="-1">(2) https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7456897?sommaire=7456956 </font>

‍

<font size="-1">(3) Criscuolo et al. (2023). The Role of Telework for Productivity During and Post COVID‑19. </font>