The global development of the pandemic and consequent lockdowns prompted business organizations to transition to remote working. The prevalence of remote working provided comfort, flexibility, and autonomy to the employees. Now, with the initiation of vaccination processes in different countries, business organizations have started to reopen. But, most employees do not want to return to the office. They know that the return to the office will take away all the comfort, flexibility, and autonomy that remote working provides them.
Under such circumstances, if you want your employees to return to the office happily, without any pressure, the trick is to create a workplace that they’ll love returning to. Do you know what such a workplace looks like? The following points will help you get a glimpse of a workplace that your employees will love to work at. Once you create such a workplace for them, they’ll naturally feel intrinsically motivated to return to the office.
7 sure shot tactics to encourage employees to return to the office:
- Make an alluring sitting arrangement for your employees:
One of the best things that employees love about remote working is that it gives them the best comfort while working. They can sit anywhere they want to, on whatever they want to, and work comfortably. But, when working in the office, they have to stay confined in one place which they may or may not like. The furniture may not be according to their comfort needs. As a result, even the thought of returning to the office, makes them feel upset.
But, if you make an alluring sitting arrangement that can captivate the hearts of your employees and provide them with the best of comfort, they’ll love returning to the office. You can bring comfortable chairs, bean bags and other things for them. Moreover, if possible you should also provide them with the freedom to work from anywhere within the office premises. If they want to work in the garden, you should let them take their laptop and work there. Such things will definitely motivate your employees to return to the office.
- Let natural light delight your employees:
Do you know natural light is a free resource that can help you inspire your employees to return to the workplace? Yes, this is true. According to a survey conducted by an HR advisory firm and published in Harvard Business Review, access to natural light is the number one attribute workers want in their office environment. If your office doesn’t have sufficient amounts of natural light coming in, it is time to do something about it. Natural light can increase employee productivity, happiness and improve their overall health. Moreover, many people love working in natural light. It feels good. So, you should try to let natural light illuminate your workplace and delight your employees.
- Take the best Covid safety precautions in your workplace:
Despite the initiation of the vaccination processes across the globe, the pandemic is still continuing. This is one of the biggest things responsible for the reluctance of your employees to return to the office. They feel afraid and anxious about catching a Covid infection. But, if you can ensure that you’ll do your best to protect them against infection, they’ll feel a little better and be less reluctant to return to the office. Following are some safety precautions that can help you with the same:
- Perform temperature checks for everyone
- Ensure that your employees sit at a distance of one meter from each other
- Keep masks mandatory for everyone
- Place sanitizer hand rub dispensers at different places in the organization
- Ensure regular sanitization of frequently touched surfaces and washrooms
- Use an eclectic bell to remind everyone to sanitize their hands after every hour
- Advice your employees to work from home if they don’t feel well
- Allow them to work autonomously:
Working from home enables employees to work autonomously. They have the freedom to work in their own ways and express their creative selves. This freedom is very dear to their heart as it adds joy to their professional life. As their return to the office may threaten their autonomy and they may have to work under the micro guidelines and constant monitoring of their managers, it is natural for them to be reluctant about returning to the office. But, if you assure them that they can continue working autonomously even after they return to the office and they won’t be micromanaged, they’ll feel safe when returning to work. Moreover, you should also try to train all the managers in a way that they don’t engage in micromanagement. Micromanagement is hazardous for employee engagement, productivity, and happiness. It can lead your organization downhill. So, you should pledge to eradicate micromanagement from your organization.
- Encourage your employees to take frequent breaks from work:
While working from home, employees can work at their own pace. They can take short breaks from work whenever they need. But, once they return to work, they won’t be able to do so. Continuous sitting and exposure to a screen is something they don’t want to engage in again. After all, it is not good for their health. However, in the office, they cannot take frequent breaks from work. They are afraid of being considered as lacking sincerity and dedication. But, if you encourage them to take frequent breaks from work, they’ll feel motivated to return to the office. After all, they’ll be able to take regular short walks, offer rest to their eyes during the breaks and ensure their good health and well-being.
- Give your employees true happiness by engaging them in games, contests, and other similar activities:
During these challenging times, life has become a struggle for most people. The threat of catching Covid infection, loss of social interactions, and freedom to travel are some things that cause them immense unhappiness. But, despite everything, if you can give your employees true happiness in the workplace, they’ll want to come to the office every day. Making them engage in playing games, interesting contests, and other fun activities like watching funny short videos are some ways in which you can provide them true happiness.
When playing, we are so engrossed that our mind comes into the present moment which otherwise keeps swinging between the past and the future. When the mind connects with the present moment, our worries cease to exist, we experience thoughtless aliveness which triggers inner joy and bliss. It is the same state of thoughtless aliveness that people experience when they engage in risky acts like reckless driving and mountain climbing. If people can engage in such risky acts for experiencing inner joy and bliss, they can also come to the office. So, you should try to help your workers experience true happiness by engaging them in games, content, and other similar activities.
- Create a green space where they can rejuvenate themselves:
Nature is healing. Almost every person on the planet loves spending his time in the healing embrace of nature. Further, one of the major reasons why employees don’t want to return to the office is that it confines them within cemented buildings. They miss nature and its beauty. When they return home, it is nearly nighttime. As a result, they cannot see and enjoy the beauty of nature. But, if you create a green space in the workplace where your workers can rejuvenate, they’ll be glad to return. So, you should try to create a green space where your employees can relax and rejuvenate. If possible, you should also give them the freedom to work in the green space. Believe me, they’ll love it.
Your employees have tasted the perks of remote working. They’ll only feel motivated to return to the office if you provide them with similar comfort and flexibility. The above mentioned are some things that you can do to encourage your workforce to return to the office. Now, wishing you All the Best and immense success in all your endeavors.
