How Can Leadership Teams Best Encourage Or Incentivize People To Come Back Into The Office?
We are nearing the halfway point of 2022, and as many businesses start getting ready to return to their workspaces many are starting to ask “just what are the main benefits for in person collaboration?”. We at BOS, Haworth Best In Class, might just have the answers!
Team Building Activities
There is no denying in-person participation is more effective than meetings over the phone. Team building activities create relationships that encourage collaboration, understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and problem solve while working towards a common goal.
Team building is important because it allows employees to get to know each other outside of the workplace, and creates interconnections across both departments and management levels.
“Team building events bring people together as humans where they can have fun and cultivate culture by having fun!”
Flexibility Is Key To Come Back Into The Office
Flexibility has become a huge factor of employees’ routines post-pandemic. For two plus years people have adapted to a new schedule; working from the comfort of their own homes, working in pajamas, and being home with their kids.
Being flexible reduces workplace stress, leading to higher levels of productivity, and motivation. Employees are looking for flexibility in hours where they can have the option to come in later and stay later.
Including flexibility in workspace environments where employees have the option to work remote some days, and being flexible with private vs more open collaborative spaces, can create a workplace where people will be more motivated to come into the office.
“I think by offering as much flexibility to our person-to-person engagement with schedules in mind as well as the understanding that this interaction is paramount to productivity as well as mental health is quite a incentive and driver.”
Always Show Up
As a leader, if you show up for your employees, they will show up for you. Employees are looking for role models who encourage and recognize them as hard workers.
Showing up each day conveys to your employees that you care, as well as keeps them motivated about the work they do. Employees will be more engaged and enthusiastic to complete tasks when their leaders are also demonstrating their goals.
“Having leaders present and set up mentoring programs will help get people excited to come back and re-energized for work. Leading to employees feeling valued and a production of better work in the long run.”
