The transition back to the office has been complicated to say the least.
In recent months, it has become clear that the desires of employees and employers are varied. Workers want freedom, but managers want good attendance rates. So where’s the middle ground?
Luckily for many workers, companies have somewhat loosened their restrictions in terms of workplace requirements.
A new report from Stanford University and The University of Chicago showed that 35% of workers were able to reduce their office time without repercussions.
However, there is still a disconnect as employees want to work from home 2.6 days a week, but are only given an average of 1.6 days.
“We’ve hit a place where leaders, employees, organizations have become quite familiar with a different way of working than we were familiar [with] before, and there’s been so much positive related to that, but the anxiety and stress of having to give that up and go back and work full-time in an office is really quite overwhelming for many,” said Margo Hoyt, managing director of talent and leadership development at HR consulting firm LHH.
Not only is this shift overwhelming for many workers, it could also contribute to resignation rates that have plagued the job market for years.
To combat attrition, leaders have opted for a hybrid model that aims to balance the best of both worlds.
“Employers who don’t offer hybrid working are going to miss out on the best talent,” said Wayne Berger, CEO of IWG Americas.
“Not only do employees benefit from dramatically improved work-life balance, but by switching to a hybrid model, businesses can expect to save an average of more than $13,000 per employee — all while minimizing their carbon footprint.”
