The debate over whether or not to return to the workplace is far from being settled, but despite that, executives are welcoming employees back into the office, whether they’re ready or not. In the United Kingdom, more workers are coming to offices all days of the week than staying home, and it’s likely the number of remote workers will continue to decrease as we head into 2024. As the job market is gradually cooling and employees are seeking stability in the midst of a recession and worsening cost of living crisis, executives are beginning to withdraw benefits, particularly flexible and hybrid working. 

If you’re calling people back to the office, even if for a couple of days per week, it becomes even more important to create an open and inviting workplace, incentivising workers to be present. Successful return-to-the-office initiatives are dependent upon an understanding of people’s need for well-being, so make your workplace more enjoyable. The job market has softened to some degree, yet there’s always competition for top talent as there’s a shortage of skilled workers. It’s fair to expect that most people won’t be cheering when your company announces its expectations for a return to the office. 

So, what can you do to entice employees to come to the office? 

Provide Welfare Facilities & A Working Environment That’s Healthy and Safe for Everyone 

If you want to make the experience of working in the office more enjoyable, provide high-quality welfare facilities that promote comfort and health. Workers should have somewhere to rest and eat meals. Canteens and restaurants can be used as resting facilities, provided there’s no obligation to purchase food to use them. It’s recommended to have one or more restrooms because prolonged periods of work without breaks can give rise to physical strain and discomfort. By making it possible for employees to rest and stretch during breaks, you contribute to their well-being and, above all, reduce the risk of work-related injuries. 

To retain strong workers and a positive outlook for your business, invest in an office kitchen to ensure employees have a fine dining experience. The kitchen is a place to unwind, get much-needed fuel for the day, hydrate, and relax. You might need to add wall shelves and countertop organisers; if you have the budget to upgrade the cabinets, do it. Typically, modern kitchens have cleverly designed storage solutions, lounge seating, monochromatic colour palettes, and helpful appliances (a coffee maker, a tea kettle, a water cooler, etc.). The kitchen can be a fantastic place to have an informal meeting in the morning or afternoon, building relationships and rapport with the team. 

Creating (and sustaining) a high-performing organisation requires establishing a healthy and safe work environment. Ensure there’s a reasonable working temperature, incorporate natural light and ventilation, enhance ergonomics, and make privacy a priority. It’s up to you to make the transition back to the office as safe and reassuring as possible, so have well-maintained equipment, ensure there are no obstructions that create a risk of a tripping accident, and ensure windows can be reopened and cleaned without much difficulty. Talk with your employees ahead of time to understand what their expectations are and what can be improved. 

Give Employees More Autonomy Over Their Workdays 

The landscape of corporations is slowly but surely changing, giving attention to autonomous employment, as it can create a more productive workplace. Nobody likes to be micromanaged, so if you closely supervise everything workers do, you make it look like you don’t trust their judgement, competence, and ability to fulfil their tasks. Think about giving employees the liberty to work in a way that suits them. Let them set their own schedule, give them a say in setting deadlines, and request input on company benefits. Granting autonomy in the workplace doesn’t translate into absolving workers of their duties. 

Workplace autonomy doesn’t have a single facet, meaning that it can look different for teams and work environments, but if done correctly, it can benefit your employees and the wider company culture. Delegate to build trust with your team and develop a stronger sense of belonging at work so employees can do their jobs more effectively. Most importantly, ensure they have what they need to succeed. There’s always more than one way to solve a problem, so let go of perfectionism because it can be a real hindrance in the workplace, preventing people from reaching their full potential. 

Organise In-Person Brainstorming Sessions, Working Sessions, And Social Events 

The best companies have mastered collaboration, a practice that’s become more important than ever. Working from home has impacted workers’ ability to meet and brainstorm, maintain social relationships, and have unplanned interactions. Remote tools facilitate informational onboarding sessions yet fail to sustain nuanced engagements in which employees can apply their signature strengths and express themselves. Strongly consider organising in-person brainstorming sessions, working sessions, and, last but not least, social events. In the absence of effective teamwork, productivity and the quality of work suffer, even if the group is made up of brilliant individuals. 

You can benefit from having a couple of creative ideas at your disposal, so help yourself and your team. Let everyone write down their thoughts, share the ideas with the group, and ensure the group isn’t influenced by the first suggestions (or the loudest people in the room). At any rate, the output is far greater than you could hope to produce. Work sessions are much like meetings, except that they involve a limited number of people collaborating on a project. What makes them so attractive is that employees are willing to work towards a common goal, making the decisions by consensus.  

Finally, yet importantly, provide workers with the opportunity to network and foster relationships by allowing them to meet in a different setting. Social events help build trust, create a positive atmosphere, encourage collaboration, and boost innovation, efficiency, and other key operational elements. Many people do like to socialise with co-workers, so ensure your team has the chance to interact; not all opportunities have to be after work or with alcohol. You ought to ensure that any activity or event is strictly voluntary to not put pressure on those who don’t wish to participate. 

The Takeaway 

Call people back to the office and make it an inviting place where they want to be – in other words, create a compelling environment that sells employees on the benefits of being together in a shared physical space.