Return-to-office (RTO) mandates? About power or performance.
You would be hard-pressed to find a company that doesn’t list “work/life balance” as a core value. For decades, attempts have been made to achieve this balance through half-measures, which resulted in mixed success at best. Then, with the advent of the pandemic, the rubber met the road and created an opportunity for high-performing hybrid workplaces that are thriving today.
Still, though, it doesn't come without naysayers. Opponents of hybrid work are missing an unprecedented opportunity for innovation and fail to recognize the advantages it can bring to the business as well as the changing needs of employees.
As is the case with most unpopular comprehensive corporate policies, this is not a zero-sum game: Some roles, it is commonly agreed, must be in-office. Additionally, not all people have the demeanor to be successful in a remote or even hybrid work situation. This needs to be acknowledged, thoughtfully planned, and addressed prior to any policy change. Otherwise, some will flourish, and others will be set up to fail.
There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to in-office and remote work situations. What also seems clear is that there needs to be more communication between leadership and employees on the subject with the understanding that there is a healthy hybrid compromise between the two options. This will require engagement, innovation, and flexibility on both sides. Strict, comprehensive RTO mandates are NOT the way to move forward.
Business Benefits
Many surveys and studies have produced ample evidence that the productivity of high-performing teams increases in a remote/hybrid environment. By planning and preparing thoughtfully, teams can be just as effective, if not more so, in a hybrid work environment utilizing available technology to increase collaboration and improve meeting productivity. Additionally, a remote/hybrid arrangement will lower costs, reduce turnover, and attract higher quality and more diverse talent.
Business Drawbacks
Some studies have shown that remote work, and to some degree hybrid work, decreases the productivity that comes with in-person collaboration. Furthermore, there is an immediate cost associated with empty office space and unused equipment. However, there are indications that what’s driving executive concerns may be more about generational and gender issues than performance. Many C-suite executives, over 70% of whom are male, still view the world through the lens of a pre-pandemic work environment, are unconvinced of the benefits of remote/hybrid work, cannot stand walking through an empty office building, and yearn for days of old.
Employee Benefits
By planning and preparing thoughtfully, teams can be just as effective, if not more so, in a hybrid work environment. With the technology now available, work collaboration can be increased, meetings can be more productive, and the increased autonomy that remote/hybrid work naturally provides can empower employees and signal trust from leadership, resulting in healthier work environments, increased loyalty and less burnout.
Employee Drawbacks
If you want to expand your role or advance your career, then being in the office and building the relationships that get you noticed or mentored is vital. In times of growth and challenge, it is important to be where the decisions are made, and generally, that is at the office.
As we approach annual bonus payout time, many executives begin to consider their options. If you are an executive contemplating a change for any reason, set up a MaxBridge consultation and let’s have a conversation about the market and how we can guide you to a successful transition.
