Remote Working or Back to Office - What's Right for You?

Just five years ago, less than 5% of employees had the option to work remotely regularly.

Roughly three years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended U.S. workplaces, about a third (35%) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all of the time, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

This is down from 43% in January 2022 and 55% in October 2020, but it is up from only 7% before the pandemic.

One theme that has remained consistent over the past three years is flexibility. Americans, in particular, are embracing flexible work and want more of it.

The data from Owl Labs has shown (again) that employees feel more productive, balanced, and loyal to their companies when they have flexibility in where they work.

Many employees will sacrifice to achieve this flexibility, as 62% would take a pay cut of 10% or more, and 4% would quit their jobs if they could no longer work remotely or hybrid.

The 2024 Workplace Flexibility Trends Report finds that 58% now have that option at least some of the time. While most employers have embraced a change in “where” people work, many have not adopted the new practices needed to do it well.

Nearly 3 out of 4 respondents indicated their employer had not trained its managers to lead a distributed team, established team or meeting norms, or adopted best practices to support working across distances.

Data from?Owl Labs' 2023 State of Hybrid Work?report yields eye-catching phrases that paint a clear picture of the 2024 in-office, hybrid, and remote landscape.

The current workplace, a breeding ground for new terms and trends, has witnessed a significant shift.

Major companies initially enforced return-to-office (RTO) mandates, only to reconsider their stance in the face of?employee resistance, a testament to the power of collective voice.

That pushback led some companies to implement work-from-anywhere policies that reduced turnover and a four-day workweek that resulted in an increase in productivity.

Three years into the return-to-office battle, an exasperated JPMorgan Chase CEO, Jamie Dimon, asked managing directors to return to the office five days a week.

The memo stated that the bank's operating committee had warned other employees working on hybrid schedules to show up three days a week or face consequences.

Many JPMorgan workers up and down the totem pole, including managers, didn’t take it fondly. In an exclusive, Reuters reported that they pushed back on what they called a “tone-deaf” and “divisive” order on the company’s messaging platform.

The conversation about returning to the office has become increasingly relevant.

The transition to returning to office is not without its challenges. Employers are eager to reestablish in-person collaboration, while employees have grown accustomed to the flexibility and autonomy of remote work.

Bridging this gap requires careful navigation, clear communication, and a willingness to find common ground.

In an effort to draw people back to the office, some employers are engaged in “office peacocking,” which involves companies trying to lure employees back to the office with fancy decor, stocked kitchens, and comfortable furniture.

According to Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs, the practice has been around for a while, but it’s on the rise again in 2024. “We just passed the fourth anniversary of the pandemic, and many employers haven’t yet given up on trying to return to pre-pandemic policies.

Weishaupt told Fobes Magazine, “despite?our data?showing that many employees will make sacrifices to achieve flexibility in where they work, as 62% would take a pay cut of 10% or more to remain hybrid.”

Open dialogue is not just a cornerstone, it's a powerful tool in this transition. Employers must initiate honest conversations with their teams and provide a platform for employees to voice their concerns and preferences.

This active engagement fosters a sense of confidence and trust in the transition process.

Acknowledging the validity of these concerns is paramount, demonstrating empathy and understanding for the need to balance work and personal life in a post-pandemic world.

Transparency is key in outlining the rationale behind returning to the office. Whether it's the necessity for collaboration, team building, or maintaining company culture, employees should understand the driving forces behind this shift.

Having a solid understanding of a situation is important, but it's also necessary to be flexible. This balance between understanding and flexibility is not just crucial, it empowers successful hybrid solution implementation.

The working model allows for a blend of remote and in-office work, accommodating the diverse needs of employees while fostering collaboration and innovation.

Establishing clear policies and guidelines regarding remote work helps set expectations for communication, productivity, and availability. By providing resources and support to aid in the transition back to the office, employers demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their teams.

Regular check-ins and feedback loops are not only important but essential. They allow for continuous evaluation and adjustment.

Employers can refine their strategy by seeking employee input and actively incorporating their feedback, ensuring a seamless and successful transition back to the office.

Navigating the return to office requires clear communication, flexibility, and a deep sense of empathy.

By fostering open dialogue, acknowledging concerns, and implementing flexible policies, employers can set realistic expectations that prioritize the well-being and productivity of their teams, fostering a sense of understanding and connection.

What is driving this shift back to the office?

While the remote work experiment has proven successful for many, a physical workspace remains crucial for fostering collaboration, nurturing team dynamics, and preserving company culture.

As the pendulum swings back towards the office, it's crucial to explore the driving forces behind this transformative shift.

While the remote work experiment has undoubtedly been a triumph for many, the undeniable truth remains: a physical workspace is indispensable for cultivating collaboration, nurturing team dynamics, and safeguarding company culture.

In our next article, we'll explore the driving forces behind this shift back to the office, which is essential for employees who are preparing to transition back to the office.

We also explore the freedom and flexibility of remote working, a transformative experience that puts YOU in control of your professional journey. We unveil the myriad benefits awaiting those who embrace the remote work revolution.