How to encourage reluctant employees back to the office

By Nicola Smyrl

Partner

20 August 2024

Article Insights

Nicola Smyrl, Partner in our Employment department provides tips for persuading disinclined staff to return to the workplace for People Management Magazine.

Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid working has become the norm in many organisations. In recent months, there have been various news reports about large employers asking their staff to return to the office. While the reasons for requesting a return are varied, a significant consideration in most cases is the desire to bring teams together to increase creativity and collaboration, as well as supporting younger employees at the early stage of their careers.

However, various surveys in this area demonstrate that staff like the flexibility of hybrid and remote working, and have no desire to return to the office full time. Some employees even go as far as saying they would quit their job if they had to permanently return to the office.

For employers, who feel that a return to the office will be beneficial to the organisation, reluctance from employees can be tricky to navigate. If an employee has been performing their job from home since the pandemic, it may be difficult to persuade them that coming back to the office is better for them or for the business. Insisting that an employee returns to the office can lead to workplace conflicts and the request needs to be handled carefully.

To continue reading Nicola’s tips for employers, follow the link to People Management here.

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Please note that the contents of this article are intended solely for general information purposes and should not be considered as legal advice. We cannot be held responsible for any loss resulting from actions or inactions taken based on this article.