[US] Return to office plans present challenges for employers

A new study from employment and labour law firm Littler details employers’ concerns about the transition to a new normal for work, post-pandemic. And topping the list are differences between employers’ plans and their employees’ preferences about where they will work, Human Resources Executive reports.

The Littler Annual Employer Survey, 2021 found that just 4 per cent of surveyed employers believe most employees who can work remotely would like to return to full-time in-person work; 71 per cent believe most of their employees would prefer a hybrid model (a mix between remote and in-person work). Despite this, 28 per cent of those employers intend to have most employees return full time and in person. 55 per cent plan to offer a hybrid model.

The Littler report reaffirms earlier conflicting views in surveys about how the American workplace will change over the coming months. For example, an early 2021 survey of 1,000 full-time American workers at companies with 501-50,000 employees found that 70 per cent of respondents felt their experiences working from home had been better and more productive than they expected. 

Yet, in another report - also from the beginning of the year - PwC found three-quarters of executives anticipated that at least half their employees would be back in the office by July.

In the first survey - from Nintex - workers cited remote work benefits, including more family time, no commute, fewer interruptions and improved work/life balance, as their rationale for wanting long-term remote work opportunities.

Devjani Mishra - a leader of Littler’s COVID-19 Task Force and Return-to-Work Team - said the disconnect may be attributed to the unique set of challenges associated with hybrid working models for employers; from scheduling obstacles and physical workplace changes to ensuring employees working from home don’t feel left out or passed over for opportunities. 

That idea aligns with the 73 per cent of employers who expressed concern about workforce management issues that come with employees split between in-person and remote work.

“As companies plan their return to the office, HR professionals have an important role to play in advising employers on attracting and retaining talent in today’s tight job market,” Ms Mishra said. Adding that the pandemic has removed a lot of the stigma around asking for flexibility and remote work options, for both existing employees and job applicants raising such requests over the interview process.

Ms Mishra explained that addressing requests for flexibility raises legal and practical considerations, including how to accommodate workers with concerns about coming to the office. Employers also must acknowledge that many do not have reliable access to childcare or transportation and must account for the cost of continuing COVID-19-related safety measures.

“Our survey data shows that many employers - including those that may never have considered hybrid or fully remote work prior to 2020 - are looking at these models and considering how to incorporate them into their recruitment and retention strategies,” Ms Mishra said.

Source: Human Resources Executive

(Quotes via original reporting)

A new study from employment and labour law firm Littler details employers’ concerns about the transition to a new normal for work, post-pandemic. And topping the list are differences between employers’ plans and their employees’ preferences about where they will work, Human Resources Executive reports.

The Littler Annual Employer Survey, 2021 found that just 4 per cent of surveyed employers believe most employees who can work remotely would like to return to full-time in-person work; 71 per cent believe most of their employees would prefer a hybrid model (a mix between remote and in-person work). Despite this, 28 per cent of those employers intend to have most employees return full time and in person. 55 per cent plan to offer a hybrid model.

The Littler report reaffirms earlier conflicting views in surveys about how the American workplace will change over the coming months. For example, an early 2021 survey of 1,000 full-time American workers at companies with 501-50,000 employees found that 70 per cent of respondents felt their experiences working from home had been better and more productive than they expected. 

Yet, in another report - also from the beginning of the year - PwC found three-quarters of executives anticipated that at least half their employees would be back in the office by July.

In the first survey - from Nintex - workers cited remote work benefits, including more family time, no commute, fewer interruptions and improved work/life balance, as their rationale for wanting long-term remote work opportunities.

Devjani Mishra - a leader of Littler’s COVID-19 Task Force and Return-to-Work Team - said the disconnect may be attributed to the unique set of challenges associated with hybrid working models for employers; from scheduling obstacles and physical workplace changes to ensuring employees working from home don’t feel left out or passed over for opportunities. 

That idea aligns with the 73 per cent of employers who expressed concern about workforce management issues that come with employees split between in-person and remote work.

“As companies plan their return to the office, HR professionals have an important role to play in advising employers on attracting and retaining talent in today’s tight job market,” Ms Mishra said. Adding that the pandemic has removed a lot of the stigma around asking for flexibility and remote work options, for both existing employees and job applicants raising such requests over the interview process.

Ms Mishra explained that addressing requests for flexibility raises legal and practical considerations, including how to accommodate workers with concerns about coming to the office. Employers also must acknowledge that many do not have reliable access to childcare or transportation and must account for the cost of continuing COVID-19-related safety measures.

“Our survey data shows that many employers - including those that may never have considered hybrid or fully remote work prior to 2020 - are looking at these models and considering how to incorporate them into their recruitment and retention strategies,” Ms Mishra said.

Source: Human Resources Executive

(Quotes via original reporting)