'You can't make decisions in a vacuum,' says expert, citing challenges for business leaders
With more employers calling workers back into the office, one big challenge is many people don’t enjoy the physical office environment.
While 43% of Canadians indicate that they prefer working in-office full time or in a hybrid capacity compared to fully remote positions, 43% don’t enjoy going to their current office.
“While the equation may seem obvious, the realities of bringing this workspace to life continue to perplex and evade even the most savvy and progressive of business leaders,” says Kane Willmott, CEO and co-founder of iQ Offices, which did the survey.
That is why seeking employee feedback is important, Willmott says in talking with HRD Canada.
“From the employer’s perspective, if I have a large organization looking at a return-to-office policy, I would be opening up the lines of communication on that,” he says. “You can't make decisions in a vacuum.”
If you don’t listen to employee feedback, it will be hard to provide what workers actually need, he says.
Employee engagement needs to be a prime focus for employers, as employee happiness plummeted in the second quarter of 2024, according to data from BambooHR.
What will make workers more productive in the office?
Here are some things that can make workers want to go back to the office, according to the iQ Offices survey of 859 employed Canadians, conducted July 1 to 2, 2024:
- ease of commute (42%)
- comfortable, dynamic workspaces (38%)
- in-person collaboration/socialization (35%)
And workers will be more productive if they have:
- the right work environment to do their best work matters most (92%)
- a workplace that matches their work style (85%)
- a work environment customized based on their feedback (80%)
- a best friend at work (58%)
“If you're not taking feedback [from workers], if you don't put in policies and procedures and standards that would allow you to constantly get that feedback and then act on it… it's going to be difficult to get buy-in” from employees, he says.
“The challenge with office space is that it is very difficult to do some of these things,” says Willmott, adding construction takes time.
He advises that employers take the time to reach out to workers and say: ‘It's entirely possible that the space that we have doesn't match your specific needs. But know that we're committed to making that happen, and know that we're committed to making changes that we need to make to the space [better], in order to earn the commute, in order to ensure that you have the best possible experience when you're on site.’
“I think that makes a big difference,” he says.
Currently,47% of workers say their current office is out of touch with their current needs, he says.
Creating an attractive and comfortable workspace can help entice workers back to the office, said Masha Liokumovich, corporate wellness expert and founder of Vibrant Yoga, via LinkedIn.
“Simple changes like introducing standing desks or ergonomic chairs not only help employees improve posture but also show that business leaders care about their health and comfort. But remember, it’s more than just the furniture.
“This highlights the need for designing spaces that support both focused work as well as collaborative tasks among team members – think quiet corners with cozy seating arrangements coupled with vibrant collaboration zones equipped with whiteboards and comfy couches.”
There is a tension between workplace culture and RTO mandates, according to another report.