In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, Chris and fellow LACErs Cathy Acratopulo, and Evan Wynne discuss the highly topical issue of the enforced return to the office. They delve into the current debate surrounding businesses mandating their employees to come back to the office and explore both the advantages and pitfalls of this approach.
We’ve recently written a blog on this topic which delves into the subject in more detail. Cathy explains that the discussion is timely due to prominent organisations, such as JP Morgan, Bank of New York, and Aviva, making headlines with their return-to-office mandates.
What is the potential impact to employee well-being?
Throughout the podcast, we touch upon various aspects related to the return to the office including the importance of considering individual preferences, and the need for clear communication and rationale from organisations implementing such mandates. They emphasise the importance of striking a balance between the business imperative of having a physical presence in the office and the value of flexible working in attracting and retaining talent.
Should flexible working be a base requirement in today’s job market?
Evan suggests that organisations should ask their employees about their preferences and consider piloting the return-to-office approach before making permanent decisions. This is alongside Labour party’s plan to make working from home a legal right. Giving employee’s the freedom of how they work will giver marginalised groups (I.e., carers, those with disabilities or those with other responsibilities) the chance to work. This change may force us to redefine workforce productivity.
This podcast highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for organisations to navigate between the push to return to the office and the pull of accommodating employees’ preferences. Listen now to find the right balance and make informed decisions by understanding the business impact and consulting employees.
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