Top UK organisations mandating return to the office. Employees are ‘challenging’ back.

Work has changed. If there’s one long-lasting impact that the pandemic had, it’s that it’s given the world of work the biggest shakeup that it’s had since the advent of the internet.

 

But not all changes are permanent, as “office-based businesses are keen to have workers back to help with training and staff development as well as aiding team bonding ”.

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Pricewaterhousecoopers, one of the Big Four accounting firms, has announced that its UK-based colleagues will be required to be in the office (either its own or their clients’) a minimum of three days a week.  It’s not the only firm in the UK to do so. Both Dell and EY have also announced that they’ll be tracking their employees’ attendance at the office, while Amazon has mandated not just days in the office, but a minimum number of hours to be spent there on days in.

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A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) indicated that many employers are encouraging a return to the office, with around 80% of businesses planning to implemented some form of return-to-office mandate.

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The challenge of ‘back to the office’

Perceptions of the office have changed. Working from home has allowed employees the chance to create workspaces that really work for them. This doesn't just mean having the perfect chair and screen setup, or always being in charge of the music. It means being able to pop to the dry cleaners at lunchtime, or to unload the dishwasher during 10 minutes between calls.  

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It’s not enough simply to compel colleagues back to the office using a stick, they need big, very orange carrots that make them want to return.  

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As HR Grapevine says, return-to-office mandates can feel like an effort by employers to reassert control. To minimise this risk, the office cannot be seen simply as a place of business; employees need to feel excited about the prospect of heading into seeing their colleagues, and experiencing the office at its best.  

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And this isn’t just an issue of occupancy. Organisations also want the best out of their employees, as well as attracting and retaining the best talent. In a competitive marketplace, where the most talented candidates frequently have multiple offers, the right working environment can be the deal breaker. In order to do this, building facilities teams are crucial, as firms should adopt a ‘employee experience mindset’ in order to reshape workplace to better encourage people to return.

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Looking for new ways of elevating your employee experience? Read our return to the office initiatives.

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