Are Return-to-Office Mandates More Risk or Reward?

As the world flipped upside down with the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to everyday life was challenging, especially in the workplace. Bringing in working from home (WFH) became a solution for many workplaces, enabling employees to continue their work in the safety of isolation while still being able to provide for themselves and their families. Such a solution became the key to ensuring daily life continued within the home as the world adjusted outside. Presently, with workspaces trying to encourage return-to-office mandates, both employees and employers have to consider the benefits and negatives of the impacts that returning to the office brings. Did working from home create additional problems as we overcame lockdowns? Or did it present a possible new age of workplace expectations? 

Why is a full Return-to-Office Mandate sparking controversy?

While COVID-19 lockdowns were strenuous on many people, one of the widespread perks was working from home. The benefits of such an option worked in favour of many employees, with reduced commute costs, reduced stress, schedule flexibility, etc., so once people were called back into the office - many preferred the home option with the understanding that it did work cohesively. Statistics show 40% of employees worked from home during COVID-19, and due to its perks, they want to continue with the modern hybrid model. 

While employers were trying to bring their people back on-site into their offices, it proved to be a difficult sell in some places once employees were already reaping the rewards of flexible work arrangements. So it’s no surprise that attempts at returning to a pre-COVID world with mandatory office days sparked dramatic controversy. 

This is why many modern workplaces are adopting hybrid workspaces that combine off- and on-site options to ensure all parties involved can enjoy the social aspects of returning to the office while still enjoying the perks of working from home.

How does a return-to-office mandate Affect the Employer?

When it comes down to it - no matter the productivity boost, there’s no doubt that workplace comradery and social positivity make an office space work. Working from home helps the individual, yet a full office benefits a workplace community, which is why hybrid workspaces benefit all. 

Employers also benefit from employees working some days from home: office space costs are reduced, and general morale is boosted as most employees are satisfied with WFH days. And options like this allow workers to create their own work-life balance that works for them. Happier employees encourage more work to be done and goals to be met, leading to an overall motivation boost toward work-related goals. 

While employers do benefit - the overall office community is needed, with face-to-face meetings allowing for direct communication, the ability to meet with clients, and being available in person during work hours greatly benefit the general office operations. This is why adopting both office and home options can be the most beneficial option in the face of a possible full return-to-office mandate. 

How has COVID-19 brought mental health awareness to the workplace?

We all remember, in the midst of lockdowns, that mental health awareness spread greatly through social media, as many were struggling with isolation. Because of the initial lockdowns, workplaces were able to acknowledge their employees’ mental health through a clearer lens, which fortunately carried onto work-life after COVID. Because of this awareness, there was no way employers could ignore the mental benefits of working from home, reduced costs (not only on commute, but work clothes, lunches, etc), and ability to work and take care of children all aided in the mental health of their employees. This is why returning to the office full-time has become more of a risk than a reward. 

Ignoring the mental benefits of working some days online is ignoring the needs of employees, with many office spaces offering mental health support organised by HR leaders with a Masters in Human Resources, as they have a great understanding of workplace needs; it is clear the best way to ensure employees are happy is if they are able to create a stress-free work life - with hybrid workspaces that ensure the most productivity is made.