Having Trouble Getting Your Team Back To The Office?
It’s the catch-phrase of the moment but, hybrid working is indeed here to stay. As businesses prepare strategies for returning to office-based work, many are facing resistance from employees who have grown accustomed to working from home.
As an Occupational Physiotherapist, I’ve spoken to many people who are reluctant to give up remote working and return to the office. It falls on business leaders to think outside the box and respond to the changing needs of workers in Australia or risk losing valued team members to more progressive companies that place employee health and wellbeing at their centre.
6 reasons your staff are reluctant to give up remote working
They’re tired of the daily commute
People have enjoyed the time and money saved, not to mention the stress avoided by not having to battle traffic or crowded public transport to commute to and from the office. With petrol prices at an all-time high and the recent focus on climate change, many people are considering selling their cars and adopting more sustainable ways of living.
They’ve never enjoyed working in an office environment
While most employers emphasise the benefits of teamwork, some people are just more comfortable and productive working by themselves. The pandemic has given these people a taste of working in a way that suits they’re personality. Working from home has allowed people to ‘remove the mask’ and be themselves. For many, returning to the office means making compromises in order to fit in that no longer seem tolerable or necessary. They don’t miss the social interaction of the office at all and may have already started looking for a new job if working from home is no longer an option for them.
They don’t like the workstations in the office
A surprising number of people that I assess online tell me that they’ve noticed significantly less physical discomfort while working from home compared to when they were in the office. Many have told me that they prefer their home workstation and have found it easier to find time for physical activity while working from home. Now they are reluctant to return to an office that is fitted out with old, uncomfortable chairs and workspaces that aren’t designed to promote movement and activity.
They’ve put on weight, don’t fit their clothes and are insecure about their appearance
Many of us put on a few kilos while working from home but, for some, unwelcome changes in their physical appearance can a very real source of social anxiety. These people won’t necessarily open up about the issue but, trust me, it’s affecting more people than you expect. Be kind and give them a little more time to get back in shape
and update their wardrobe now that retail is
opening up again.
Working from home has made people question the need for returning to the ways we used to do things
For a lot of people working from home, tracksuit pants and a hoodie became the new uniform. This didn’t adversely affect their performance, in fact they felt more comfortable sitting for long periods, compared to wearing the corporate attire required in the office. They also saved a lot money that would have otherwise been spent on updating their wardrobe. These people are not alone in realising the benefits of not having to ‘keep up with appearances’. “You can be serious without a suit’ appears as number nine on Google’s 10 Things We Know to be True.
They may be struggling with mental health issues
The pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our mental health and it’s far from over. Many people are just not psychologically prepared to return to normal, pre-pandemic life. This will pass but it will take time. Be patient and offer support to those that need it. You will earn the respect and loyalty of your team and your actions may save someone’s life.
What can employers do to smooth the transition to hybrid working?
Talk to your team and involve them in the decision making.
Listen to what they don’t like about working in the office and take meaningful steps to change it. At the same time, think about the positive aspects of working from home and what you could do to bring this to the office.
Give your office an ergonomic health check. A dull open plan, partitioned office full of old, uncomfortable chairs may not be the most enticing prospect for someone who’s been enjoying a view of the garden from their home workspace for the past two years.
Offer true flexibility and recognise that everyone is different. A ‘one size fits all’ approach to hybrid working is missing the point.
Consider ways to make the workplace more inclusive and accepting and demonstrate that you see and value the person behind the worker.
Look out for signs that people are struggling and offer appropriate support
Continue to trust your people. They’ve been working remotely and, if you’re still in business, whatever you and your team are doing must be working.
Show your staff you care about their health and wellbeing. Book a free 15 min consultation to speak to one of our experts about how AHO can help you be an innovative leader and create a happy, healthy and safe workspace no matter the working arrangement.
