CIBC employees to return to work on March 21

Employees of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will start retuning to offices starting March 21, according to various reports, after it was halted back in January due to the Omicron variant. Reuters reported that returning employees will be transitioning to a hybrid work arrangement in order to maximize the benefits of on-site work and enjoy the flexibility of remote.

"Our hybrid model will allow our team to benefit from the flexibility and productivity that can be achieved from working remotely, while blending that with the benefits of in-person work with colleagues to further build culture and collaboration," read an email from Sandy Sharman, group head of people, culture, and brand, as seen by Bloomberg.

Employees are set to mark their return weeks after their initial comeback on-site was delayed due to the spread of the Omicron variant. The decline of COVID-19 cases, however, gave way for workplaces like the CIBC to reopen their offices to staff again.

Ontario, where the CIBC's headquarters is located, recently moved to the second phase of its reopening plan last week, and could take on the last step on March if key indicators further improve.  Under current restrictions, capacity limits are lifted in select indoor public settings where proof of vaccination are required, including bars, restaurants, and cinemas.

Read more: Employee engagement drivers are shifting thanks to hybrid work

Other banks

In addition to the CIBC, the Bank of Montreal earlier this month also began bringing back to offices their employees in the investment and corporate banking unit. A spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that their employees' return to the bank will vary depending on their department and geography, a rule also followed by the Royal Bank of Canada in its return-to-office scheme.

The National Bank of Canada also confirmed to Bloomberg that they their offices will soon be occupied at 50% capacity starting February 28, with a hybrid model applied in April.

Transitioning to hybrid work

As more businesses transition to workplaces in a hybrid fashion, a new challenge for HR is how to make hybrid workplaces easier for employees.

Katie Burke, chief people officer at HubSpot, previously said that one of the "biggest mistakes of most companies" in creating connections is "trying to copy and paste office environment into a remote or hybrid world."

According to Burke, "true remote inclusion" means creating new traditions and norms for employees.

"As we continue along this journey and transition to a fully hybrid workforce once offices reopen, we need to re-pivot and consider sustainable practice and cultural norms for maintaining a remarkable culture in a hybrid world," said the chief people officer.