Two years after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, many employees have become accustomed to the “new normal.” It’s unsurprising since it’s more comfortable, and they can spend more time with their families, friends, and personal interests. They can also save money on food and commuting costs.
As we move forward, however, remote work may no longer be the best solution to workplace challenges. So, how can companies encourage RTO when the most basic benefits like food and transportation are being affected? In this article, we’ll talk about how employers can alleviate their RTO workforce’s financial burden.
Why We Need RTO: The Benefits of Traditional Working Environment
While there are a few reasons employees prefer working from home, we can’t neglect its downsides and how it affects the workforce today. According to the Pew Research Center, 60 percent of employees stated that their connection with coworkers, managers, and professional acquaintances had significantly declined.1 This becomes a problem if your organization requires a collaborative dynamic to perform well—which is true for most companies.
Isolation and loneliness become more apparent as your workforce interacts less and less with their peers. This might even affect productivity, which makes it inconsistent with the previous statistics. While the article also stated that 72 percent believe the change has not affected their career progression, we can’t neglect the minority.
Some benefits of RTO are these:
- Enhanced collaboration
- Improved work-life boundaries
- Access to on-site resources
- Stronger organizational culture
- Mentoring and networking opportunities
Hence, RTO should be seen as a strategic solution that most workplaces must consider. This is why it’s crucial to find the balance between engaging your workforce’s needs and meeting organizational excellence.
Offering Attractive Incentives to Encourage RTO Mandates
As an employer, you must balance both sides and address the situation strategically. Enforcing strict RTO mandates might push away valuable employees, but neglecting this issue might cause long-term difficulties for your organization.
So, how do you encourage your entire team to be on board with your organizational direction? The answer is offering the right incentives to your employees and ensuring less resistance to change. Here’s how you can elevate your business practices and offerings:
1. Transportation Solutions
Most employees spend a lot of money on their daily commute. Aside from the financial burden, sitting in transit for hours can be draining. Not to mention the long walks or the possibility of standing in long lines or a large crowd waiting for the train during peak hours.
One way to help is to offer transit passes to alleviate commute costs. This is more than just financial support; it also sends the message that you value your employees and are willing to address their needs.
Another effective method is offering carpooling services that cater to employees in specific locations. If you have people living in a different city, try allocating resources to have a bus to bring them to and from the office.
2. Flexible Scheduling Options
Depending on your business needs, you can adjust your work schedules and offer a more flexible option to your employees. Here are a few ways.
- Staggered hours – Allow a set range of hours for employees to start and end their work. For example, one can work from 7 to 4, while another can work from 9 to 6.
- Compressed workweeks – Employees work longer shifts, usually 10 hours, during a 4-day workweek. This gives them an extra day to rest and spend time with their families.
- Flextime – Giving employees the freedom to adjust their daily schedules as long as they complete 8 hours might not be ideal for most companies. If this suits your needs, you may consider it.
3. Part-Time Positions
Offering part-time roles can be a great way to accommodate employees. It reduces the strain of working full-time while still providing working opportunities. Since part-time positions might mean double work in terms of documentation, payroll, and other back-office tasks, you can consider a staffing solutions provider like Madison-Davis to handle temporary and part-time roles.
4. Remote or Hybrid Models
Hybrid models reduce financial costs for employees, while full-time remote setups can eliminate commuting altogether. Instead of fully committing to a specific work setup, you can assess each role in your organization and find out which can be done remotely, in a hybrid setup, and on-site. This way, employees have the option to choose, especially if the job can be achieved remotely.
Read more: 7 Tech Essentials for Hybrid Work: From Cybersecurity to Collaboration
5. Office Daily Perks
There are many ways you can elevate the office experience. Waking up and going straight to your home desk is already a tough competition against getting up earlier, preparing breakfast, eating, showering, and commuting to work.
Making your office more attractive can be a great strategy to entice workers to come to work. Here are a few ways you can do so:
Lunch treats.
This is more than just the regular pizza Fridays or free restaurant meals. While giving your employees free meals is already a plus, you can elevate your game by introducing new and local flavors. You can try different cuisines, which can be a great conversation starter, especially with a diverse workforce. Or have potluck events where people can bring their best dishes and let everyone try them in the office.
Cozy corners.
Most employees enjoy coffee in the morning. So, why not invest in quality coffee machines to enhance your morning and afternoon breaks? You can also allot resources for a relaxation space or quiet room. Paired with a coffee machine, this can be a great space for employees to unwind and refresh their minds.
Gym memberships.
If budget permits, you can set up a small office gym to encourage employees to invest in their physical and mental well-being. On the other hand, you can always opt for gym memberships.
Health-centric workplace.
Aside from gym sessions, you can promote health and wellness inside the office in various ways. You can include ergonomic equipment like standing desks and comfortable chairs.
Find the right employees with Madison-Davis.
These are just a few ways you can elevate the office and motivate employees to return to the office. Focus on alleviating their challenges and addressing their concerns. As an employer, you can be as creative as you want. Being genuine is key to providing what your employees need in supporting their careers.
If you’re looking for skilled candidates, Madison-Davis can provide exceptional individuals. We offer temporary, full-time, or temp-to-perm job placements, as well as professionals who are open to remote, hybrid, or in-office work setups.
On the other hand, we understand the complexities most industries face today. With many technological and workplace shifts, many roles today have transformed and will require a new approach. As a dedicated staffing partner, we developed a comprehensive Salary Guide for you. This should provide you with insightful knowledge of this year’s critical employment salaries and responsibilities.
Learn more about our unique services and partner with us today.
Reference
Parker, Kim et al. “COVID-19 Pandemic Continues To Reshape Work in America.” Pew Research Center, 16 Feb. 2022, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/02/16/covid-19-pandemic-continues-to-reshape-work-in-america/
