Companies have settled into remote working operations, but some organizations are too quick to bring workers back into the office, especially as several states experience an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
The reality is, a second wave is fast approaching and society is feeling pandemic fatigue. However, companies need to make the safety of their workers at the top of their priority lists if they want to retain a healthy, satisfied workforce.
A recent study from Korn Ferry found that 74% of employees feel that their colleagues will abide by safety guidelines. While this sounds great, the survey also found that 53% of respondents are either somewhat likely or not likely to return to the workplace when they reopen.
What has become abundantly clear is that there is not a one-size-fits all approach to the workplace. People enjoy working from home, but some are struggling to find a balance between home and work responsibilities.
So how do organizations ensure that the employee experience contributes to a fruitful future for the company?
A supportive remote culture is the first step. Business leaders have used the importance of culture in the workplace as a reason to bring workers back to the office.
However, culture can and should still be nurtured remotely, which can be done by showing workers that their input is valued.
Additionally, 58% of respondents said they were more productive when working from home. This contradicts the misconception that virtual working hinders productivity and proves that employees should have more of a say in how and when they get to work.