Why many of us don't want to return to the office
In this week’s email
“If a company doesn’t go remote, they’ll steal your most talented people” - Chris Herd, Founder & CEO of Firstbase
The working world has transformed dramatically since the pandemic. In just a few short years, we ditched the daily commute for a more flexible, hybrid (or in some cases, fully remote) setup. But now, companies are pushing for a return to the office and they’re having a difficult time convincing workers that it’s a good idea.?
Earlier this year, the BBC declared that ‘office culture as we know it is dead’ - and they’re spot on. Before the pandemic, companies competed to offer the coolest ‘office culture’ to attract the best talent: think chillout zones, ping pong tables, free beer on Fridays, and team-building away trips that encouraged us to view colleagues as “family.” All of which was pretty appealing, back then…?
Now, times have changed, and so have our priorities. We have proved, collectively, that going into an office every day to get a job done is no longer necessary. So why should we revert back to this lifestyle?
What’s driven this change in attitude towards work-life balance?
The global climate has certainly impacted the shift in mindset. Pre-2020, individuals moulded life around their careers. Now, we care more about having a flexible job that can fit around our personal lives, which if you ask us, isn’t a bad thing. In fact, ‘maintaining a work-life balance is so important that nearly half (46%) would quit a job if it prevented them from enjoying their life’ according to reports.
We also have a new generation of young workers who are in tune with their wants and needs. They’re strong advocates for mental health, know when to say “no,” and would sooner quit a toxic job than put in unpaid overtime just to earn a few brownie points.?
Take a scroll through TikTok’s #RemoteWork hashtag and you’ll find quite literally half a million videos of individuals talking about the perks of remote working, and sharing why they never want to return to the office life.
Workers from historically marginalised groups have also told the press that working from home is a preferable option to offices where they face microaggressions or office environments that aren’t accessible enough or inclusive enough. In short, they feel safer and more productive when working from home.
Most common reasons for wanting to remote work:
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What does this mean for employers?
There’s no point in clinging to the past. Things have changed a lot since 2020 and trying to fight it is a waste of time and energy. As Forbes says, ‘for your company to be successful in today’s market, you must adopt a “people first” approach.’ If you want to retain talent, offering flexibility is the best way forward. Our best advice is to listen to your employees’ concerns and do what you can to respect their wishes.
And if you ask us, flexible working is beneficial for everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Keep up with the times and reap those rewards for yourself, too.
If you’re looking for inclusive ways to get your team back in the office watch our webinar on the topic here on our YouTube.
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