Questioning the Rationale: Refuting 3 flawed arguments for RTO (Return to Office)
Like a rubber band snapping back after being stretched, corporations and organizations want employees back in the office as quickly as they left.
Over the past couple of years, I've seen employers resort to various strategies to entice folks back to the office... some constructive, some not.
Mark Benioff's approach involved employees in the dialogue, asking if they felt like working from home was affecting productivity and the company's performance. Elon Musk simply told employees they could work from home all they wanted...but only after first clocking 40 hours at the office. *snark*
With all this return to the office (RTO) talk, I wanted to review what I thought were the three most common and amusing yet failed arguments employers make to justify their 'Work from Office' mandates.
1. Water Cooler Moments
What we call a 'water cooler moment' is often seen as an informal chat somewhere in the office that ignites the next big innovation or project plan. The idea is that these random exchanges are the hatching grounds for real genius, where the next big product or concept is born. But is that really so? Do we need to be standing shoulder to shoulder with a colleague, paper cup in hand, for these kinds of dialogues to happen?
The answer is a loud and clear NO!
Research has demonstrated that while casual conversations can indeed lead to innovative ideas, they are certainly not limited to the office space. With a myriad of online communication platforms available, these 'water cooler moments' can take place virtually just as effectively, if not more so, than they can in person. The crux lies not in the location but in nurturing a culture that encourages open dialogue and innovative thinking, no matter where the conversation takes place.
2. Increased Productivity
The second argument often advanced by employers is that employees are more productive when in an office setting. While there might be some truth to this for certain roles or industries, the massive shift to remote work during the pandemic has substantially debunked this argument.?
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*If you were just looking at your Facebook page, or playing solitaire before reading this post, then you might disagree.*?
That being said, a host of studies have revealed that, on average, remote workers are just as productive, if not more so, than their in-office counterparts. This is primarily down to factors such as reduced commute times, the ability to work in a customized environment, and greater control over the work schedule. So it's plainly obvious to me that productivity doesn't stem directly from being physically present in the office but rather from a well-led and motivated team, clear goals and directives, and efficient work processes.
And before you bring up that employee we all heard about that didn't open their laptop for 2 months or something absurd like that...the real question we should be asking is, where was this person's manager?
3. "We have a really nice office!"
The third, and perhaps the most humorous, argument is that employers have invested heavily in creating a pleasing and comfortable office environment, so, therefore, you must use it!
While a well-thought-out office space can indeed boost employee satisfaction and engagement (especially the offices in Silicon Valley!), it's crucial to remember that an office is more than just a physical space. In today's world, 'office' has broadened to include any location where meaningful work can be accomplished.?
For many employees, an 'office' might mean their home office, a local cafe, a park bench, or even a... bathroom? C'mon, just admit it, we've all typed an email or two in there.
Ultimately, the key to attracting and retaining top-notch talent doesn't lie in the physical attributes of a workspace but in offering a flexible, supportive, and inclusive work environment that allows employees to perform at their best, wherever they might be.
To sum things up, a return to the office might make sense for certain roles and businesses, BUT these three arguments simply don't hold up as a universal mandate. In the post-pandemic era, ensuring outcomes are being delivered, and the work being done is impactful and of the highest quality should be all that matters!