One of the most pressing challenges employers face today is having their employees return to the office willingly. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of companies adapted to a remote working model because they didn't have another option. However, with things returning to normalcy now, the employers want their employees to come back to the office like they used to pre-COVID-19.
But the problem is that the employees have gotten so used to the comfort of working from their homes that they don't want to return to the office. Working from home has enabled people to make time for things they like that they couldn't do when they were going to the office. It helped them to get closer to their family and spend quality time at home. Why would they want to return to the office?
As much as remote working has been fruitful for both employees and employers during the global distress, it has become a nightmare for employers now. There's no denying the fact that ensuring the employees are working with the same dedication and focus at home as they did in the office has been a huge challenge. Employers also had to take the heat of missed deadlines due to the non-serious attitude of some employees.
One question that we've seen most employers asking today is "how to get the employees to want to come back to the office?"
Well, it won't be easy, but it's very much possible. You've got to work on your office design and make your office one that employees would want to come to work every day!
Why Do People Not Want to Return to Office?
Employees have got pretty good reasons not to want to return to the office. Comfort isn't the only reason here. Understanding why people don't want to return to the office will help you work things around and revamp your office such that it would attract the employees back to work!
Greater Flexibility
Working from home has offered the employees more flexibility than they could ever imagine! It has enabled them to work when they feel like it. They can take breaks between work and tend to other tasks. They can even go out and run errands. Remote working has allowed people to work from anywhere they like and has given them immense control over their working hours.
When working from the office, all the employees do from 9 am to 5 pm (or whatever their shift timings are) is work. However, when working from home, employees have been able to make time for their hobbies and families, and they aren't ready to give that up!
Reduced Commute Costs
When working from home, people can save all the money they would otherwise have to spend on commuting. Whether they use private transport or public, they don't have to spend any of their earnings on commute. The savings are significant for those who have to travel long distances to work.
Increased Comfort
Most people working from home work comfortably, lying on their beds or the couch. Working in increased comfort has resulted in a boost in productivity too. The comfort that employees enjoy at home is something they can never get at the office. This is another major reason why employees aren't too willing to return to work.
Customized Workspaces
People have customized their workspaces at home to suit themselves. From the work table to the chair to the accessories, they've made everything they need available. However, when working from the office, they've got to make do with whatever there is. Not many workplaces allow employees to customize and personalize their workstations.
How to Make the People Want to Return to Office?
Working from home has enabled people to balance their work and personal life, which wasn't the case pre-COVID-19. Not only that, but as we've already explained above, working from home offers greater flexibility, comfort, and satisfaction.
If you want to make your employees want to come to the office to work, you'll have to try to provide them with most, if not all, of the perks they enjoy while working from home. It's not easy, but it isn't impossible either.
Some office design ideas can help you design an office that the employees will be attracted to and want to come to the office willingly and happily every day!
Let's see what these office design ideas are:
Provide Personal, Dedicate Workspaces
Most offices today feature an open office plan where the concept of cubicles has become quite obsolete. Now, all employees sit together in a shared space. However, that shouldn't come in the way of providing your employees the dedicated workstations that they can design and organize as they like.
Many employers are still of the medieval mindset that the office should look uniform, but this idea is no more welcome. One way to attract employees to the office is to provide them with personal working spaces and allow them to decorate and arrange them as they like, be it with pictures, small plants, stress-relieve toys, or whatever your employees want with them to make them feel comfortable and stress-free at work.
With a sense of ownership of their workspace, the employees will feel more determined and willing to work. They'll get the sense that they really belong here.
Make Your Office Brighter and More Colorful
Back in the day, most offices were dull and gloomy, and that's what they made the employees feel. If you really want the employees to want to come to the office, you've got to revamp your office design and make it more attractive.
One way to do this is by ensuring your office is very well-lit. The best way to ensure this is to install large windows that allow the influx of natural daylight. No light is brighter than sunlight. Employees who work in offices that receive plenty of natural light are known to be more productive and happy. The brighter the office, the fresher and happier the employees will feel.
Once the lighting part is sorted, work on adding color to your office. Bid goodbye to gloomy white walls. Add wallpapers, colorful artwork, and funky wall décor to make your office look like a happening place. Only then will the office look like a fun place to be, and the employees will want to return to work.
Work on Comfort
Lack of comfort is one of the major reasons employees are so reluctant to return to offices. Your new office design must be oriented towards employee comfort. Ensure you have the most comfortable office furniture for all your employees.
Instead of the regular wooden work desks and mesh chairs, invest in ergonomic sit-to-stand workstations and fitness chairs like the F1 Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair. The thought of having to sit in the office all day long is enough to make employees not want to go to work. However, when they know they'll be the most comfortable at work, they would want to come to the office.
Working from the bed or couch may be comfortable, but it can make your body hurt after a few hours because they don't promote the correct posture. However, investing in the right ergonomic furniture for your employees coming to work will ensure the employees are the most comfortable throughout the time they're in the office. Just the idea of enjoying working in utmost comfort and luxury is enough to pull employees back to the office!
Build Relaxing Spaces
Nobody wants to work all day. One of the reasons your employees don't want to return to the office is that they get to take relaxing breaks at home. If you can provide the same at the office, there aren't many excuses the employees will have.
Build game rooms and relaxing rooms where the employees can unwind and relax after working for several hours straight. Engaging in quick games like snooker or any board games with fellow coworkers can help the employees release some work stress and return to their workstations all refreshed and energized.
Add Plants
Did you know plants and greenery can directly impact the mood? Incorporating fresh plants in your office will not only make your office feel fresher, but it'll also make the employees feel good. Not many offices have the "feel good" environment, but if you're able to provide your employees that, why would they not want to come to work? Besides, plants also add to the aesthetics, so it's basically a win-win situation for you and your employees both!
Install Vending Machines and Coffee Bars
Who doesn't like to enjoy a snack at work? Everyone does. If you don't have a vending machine or a coffee bar in your office, it's b about time you get one. This would allow the employees to enjoy a quick snack between work, and that would help them replenish their energy stores. The more energetic the employees are, the happier they'll be at work. If the workplace makes employees happy, there's no reason why they wouldn't want to come to work.
In Conclusion
You can make your employees want to return to work without forcing or imposing anything. By incorporating the right elements in your office design, you can transform your office into a space where the employees feel happy, fresh, and the most productive.
