Remote Smirk
Lars Schmidt
Change Agent ? Talent Leader ? Author of the Bestselling Book, Redefining HR ? Fast Company Contributor ? Optimist
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1 big thing: Remote Smirk
Credit: Axios Visuals
Why it matters: As companies continue formulating their return to workplace plans, the momentum towards hybrid and remote structures is meeting (expected) resistance.
Go deeper: [Bias alert] WeWork's CEO tells WSJ there is an easy way for companies to spot their most engaged employees: They’re the ones who want to come back to the office. “Those who are least engaged are very comfortable working from home.” ??
Big picture: Google pierced the hybrid hype bubble in early April when they announced plans to accelerate an office-centric return to workplace approach. After employee backlash, CEO Sundar Pichai shifted course and last week announced hybrid was there to stay in an employee memo.
Yes, but: What about trust? What about the secret sauce that makes organizations tick? What if “working from home is too convenient - and things that are convenient aren’t necessarily good for us,” as Jon Levy asserts in his Boston Globe piece, “The hybrid workplace probably won’t last.”
What they're saying: “And oh my goodness, we’re going to see a lot of transitions as companies head back from health-required distancing and settle into a long-term decision about work. Back in the office, hybrid, fully remote. There’s surely going to be 5%?, 10%?, 20%? of teams for which a CEO’s decision won’t match with what they want from a job.” Homebrew Partner, Hunter Walk in his recent piece, “The Great Talent Reshuffling of 2021 Has Begun.”
The bottom line: Whether the forecasted “turnover tsunami” is hype or happening, companies that prioritize their plans on flexibility and choice will be at a clear advantage. Those that think we can return to an era that no longer exists will be busy restocking their teams with employees who agree with them. Buckle up, recruiters.
Chief Product Officer. Product focussed business leader with deep expertise in HR/Work/People tech
3 年Any company that thinks like WeWork have a shock coming. And thats with only the shift caused by COVID. Wait until the talent drain caused by the decentralised economy hits them. For years companies have been 'fighting' for talent with other competitor companies. Hang on to your hats when they realise they are going to be competing with the individuals themselves. Interesting times.
Talent Attraction @ Analog Devices
3 年I've gotta say, I thought you were being overly conservative about FOW/remote opportunities when you said hybrid was the right choice and progressive. But given the last month, it looks like you were the moderate and I was the firebrand.
Supporting pharma clients through Social and Digital Excellence
3 年Thanks for the email invite. I don’t work in HR so I don’t have any real interest.