Are you considering pushing for a return to office? As many businesses re-evaluate their office needs post-pandemic, a recent survey from ResumeBuilder.com sheds light on the trends shaping the future of workspaces.
According to the survey, while many businesses relinquished their physical office spaces during the pandemic, the landscape is shifting significantly. Currently, 64% of companies maintain a physical workspace, and an additional 20% plan to establish one by the end of 2024, with more jumping on board in 2025.
As you devise your return-to-office strategy, morale is a critical concern, especially considering the effort you’ve put into recruitment and retention of your organization’s talent. The survey also reveals that 51% of companies currently require some or all employees to work in person, with an additional 39% planning to implement some form of in-office requirement by the end of 2024.
To keep morale high, you'll want to create a workplace that employees actually want to spend time in. Designing a return-to-office mandate that creates excitement (instead of resentment) is all about creating experiences that make the return easy, enjoyable and sustainable for your organization.
In this post, we’ll explore seven office must-haves for your team’s return. By the end, we’ll show you where to turn for help creating a return-to-office strategy that can deliver real ROI.
How do your employees like to work? If they prefer collaborative or social environments, it may be easier to shepherd them back into the office. But if they prefer quiet workspaces where they know they won’t be bothered, coaxing them toward in-person work can feel like pulling teeth.
Offering a mix of options in your workplace is key to creating an office where employees won’t mind settling in for the day.
Take a look at your current office setup. Is it a completely open floorplan, with offices reserved exclusively for executives? Is it completely separated by cubes, except for your breakroom? If you can answer “yes” to either of these questions, see what you can do to add “texture” to your space.
If your space is cube-only, seek to re-purpose some space for comfy seating and long, team-friendly tables. If you have only open-air workstations, consider introducing phone booths or other private spaces employees can step into temporarily to take confidential calls or to step into a focus state.
One of the most attractive things about working from home is the comfort employees feel in their own space. You can tap into that energy by providing the office must-haves that you know they can’t give up: basics like ergonomic chairs, standing desks, and access to workout spaces, like a building fitness center, if possible.
Even if you can’t splash out on new office perks, you can make sure your workspace is welcoming. Prioritize cleanliness, a comfortable temperature, and all the natural light available in your space.
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It seems simple, or even silly, but employees are more motivated by food than many people would believe. According to a post-pandemic study reported on by Forbes, the data shows the power of food as a return to office morale booster:
According to the study, a survey showed that 65% of respondents would plan their in-office days based on the free food offered at work that day
Twenty percent would willingly report to the office three to four days a week if they received free lunch on their in-office days, and another 23% would willingly report to the office five days a week for free lunch
Twenty percent of employees surveyed placed free lunch above other office perks in their ranking of office must-haves, which included commuting reimbursement, gym membership reimbursement, and happy hours.
When it comes to encouraging a return to office (morale intact), employers are wise to play upon the concept of “FOMO,” also known as the “Fear Of Missing Out.” Hosting team meetings and workshops in person creates an environment where coworkers say things to each other like “you just had to be there”—and they mean it.
Employees welcome the chance to spend time on learning and development, and those opportunities can easily be delivered on a group basis in person. You might also consider bringing opportunities to the office that employees feel they can’t miss, such as the chance to update their professional headshots on LinkedIn, attend a team meeting in person, or sit in on a seminar with a financial wellness coach.
As you’re designing a strategy for your team’s return to office, morale boosters that seem completely non-work-related can turn out to pave the way for networking and collaboration.
As you’re considering “fun” options, like on-site coffee tastings, visits from a professional barista, buffet lunches, potlucks, or even on-site present wrapping, you may not immediately see the benefit to your organization.
But it’s in these moments, where employees are free to relax and unwind, that real connections are made. These connections don’t just boost morale, they can also lead to information sharing and synergies down the road.
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We’ve said it before—a return to office doesn’t have to be all or nothing. The appeal of hybrid work (which is actually preferred by most office workers) has risen because it offers the best of both worlds. If you’re considering a return to office, morale might be kept up best by introducing a hybrid structure.
According to a 2024 study, hybrid workers are the happiest in their roles: 65.5% of hybrid workers reported overall job satisfaction, compared to 64.1 percent of fully remote employees and 60.2% of full-time in-office employees.
RELATED: Hybrid Work: A Fleeting Fad or a Fixture in Our Future? >>
According to a May 2023 study reported on by Yahoo Finance, the average U.S. worker spends $8,466 and 239 hours a year commuting to and from their workplace. In terms of dollars spent, the figure has risen 31% from pre-pandemic (2019) levels; in terms of hours spent, the increase lands at 20%.
Commuting costs represent a significant portion of the average American’s income (19% of their annual income, on average), and way too much of their time.
While employers can’t do much about the time it takes to come into the office, they may be able to help offset the cost of commuting in creative ways. If you’re interested in exploring pre-tax options for your coverage of your employees’ commuting costs, you should speak with an experienced HR consultant.
For employers considering a mandate ushering employees toward a return to office, morale is a chief concern, and rightly so. If you need help piecing together a return-to-office strategy that will work for your company culture, you can count on the employee relations experts at Axcet HR Solutions.
At Axcet, we’re culture experts and we understand that each company’s workplace and workforce is unique. With your environment and employees top of mind, Axcet can work with you to craft an employee relations strategy that has the ability to deliver real ROI.
Axcet HR Solutions is proud to be certified professional employer organization. Interested in learning more about what Axcet can do for your business? Schedule a consultation with our experienced consultants today.