From Remote Working Back Into The Office: Top Ways To Boost Employee Morale

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June 14 2022 - For many employees, remote working was a dream come true. The opportunity to roll out of bed five minutes before the working day and not even have to get dressed was like a dream come true for 32% of employees who voted to remain working from home. Still, 50% of companies have decided that it's time to head back into the office, a heartbreaking reality for many employees who believed they worked more productively and effectively from home.

Below, we'll look at how you can keep staff morale high as they return to the office and move away from their home comforts and the ability to work in pyjamas. Read on to find out more.

Office Environment Statistics

One of the latest studies revealed that 85% of employees are unhappy with their office working environment - that might be because they've been pulled away from their home comforts, or it might be because 21% of companies don't focus on what it's like to work in the office. Studies also found that the design of the office can have a direct impact on productivity and attitudes towards the office environment - designing an office that caters to all employee needs is essential.

Relating to working from home and the improved productivity that 77% of employees feel they have, 58% of problem-solving employees reveal they need a quiet place to work and 54% of them say the office environment is too distracting. That's why working from home has been so successful for some employees - getting into the zone with minimal distractions other than home comforts was far easier for some people.

Bringing A Remote Team Back Together

Whether you're considering hybrid working or bringing employees back into the office full-time, it's essential to consider how to bring a team back together. It's almost a shock to the system to go from a quiet home environment back into an office full of different personalities. Additionally, companies hired remote working staff who haven't interacted with colleagues face-to-face yet during the pandemic.

Team building events can be the solution. Studies prove that team building events improve communication by 50%, and being familiar with a team boosts productivity over time. Event staffing solutions also make it easier than ever to plan the perfect day - check out weareeventpeople.co.uk to find a company that can help you create the perfect team building day.

You should also consider the office environment and how to make it one to suit all. Going back to those workers who prefer quiet working areas, not all employees - especially one hired during the pandemic that has only ever worked remotely - will want to work in a busy office environment.

Consider isolated areas for employees to work, but also consider how to maximise the potential of the general working environment. Investing in standing and sitting desks is one example of adapting the workplace to suit specific needs. Standing at work has many proven benefits, including improved productivity, focus and health benefits.

Should You Consider Hybrid Working?

Hybrid working, or flexible working, is a buzzword within the business world. The idea of hybrid working generates interest because of the many benefits it brings for both a company and employees. A Gallup study revealed that 38% of workers would prefer a hybrid working model as it suits their personal needs and the needs of a company. Plus, hybrid working can reduce the rising costs of running an office while maintaining an office environment.

One of the concerns managers have expressed concerning hybrid working is whether the model sustains team performance and the culture of the working environment if employees opt to work primarily from home. The solution is to have a structured hybrid working model rather than one that's flexible. Create a schedule for when employees should be in the office and when they should work from home to enable flexibility. For example, you could have a set working model of a mandatory two days a week in the office, but create flexibility by allowing employees to choose when those two days are.

Working from home has taught us a lot about the working environment. Employers now understand that the office environment is not as essential as it once was and that returning full-time to the office can create productivity and morale issues. Will you make your employees return full-time, or is hybrid working the best option for your employees?

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