Sahil Chopra’s Post

Are you planning to return to pre-Covid working? (Read - everyone in the office, no working from home) According to Forbes, 90% of companies will have returned to office-working in some way over the course of 2024 but many businesses are meeting with resistance from their employees. This is understandable! Employees grew to love the greater flexibility provided by home working... being a parent, school drop offs and picks ups have become a lot easier for many, the housework doesn't wait for us when we come home after a long day in the office as it gets done during 'stretching-legs-in-between-tasks..... But working in the office does have it's benefits. Not just justifying cost of office space for the employers, but the relationships that employees have with their colleagues. I can't stress enough how important those in-person contacts are to build trust and confidence, which in turn will help improve communication, interpersonal relationships and overall productivity as people are more likely to ask for help when they have closer relationships. Despite the benefits, though, employers must approach blanket return to the office carefully. Read my latest article on How to encourage employees to return to the office and making the process less 'painful' for you, your management team and employees: https://lnkd.in/eMydeGvt #WFH ##wellbeingatwork #peoplemanagement #returntotheoffice

Despite the best efforts of some businesses to get staff back in the office, it looks like hybrid working is here to stay according to a recent survey showing nine in 10 chief executives regularly work from home. https://buff.ly/3zRpQkz #timemanagement #hybridworking

Why Working from Home Shouldn’t Be Overlooked 🫣 In a world that’s becoming increasingly digital, especially for marketing, the way we work is evolving. Many of us have experienced how working from home can boost productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Yet, some companies still measure commitment by office attendance rather than actual outcomes 🚩 Here’s the thing: office days shouldn’t be a KPI. By allowing employees to work from home, you give them the flexibility to: 🟢 Focus without distractions: Home environments often enable deeper concentration compared to bustling office spaces. 🟣 Balance work and personal life: No commute means more time for family, exercise, and mental health—essentials for sustainable performance. 🟡 Work when they're most productive: Whether you're a morning bird or a night owl, remote work lets you align your tasks with your energy levels. Of course, there’s value in coming together in the office for collaboration, culture, and connection. But this shouldn’t replace trust in employees to manage their own time and deliver results. After all, success isn’t about where you work—it’s about what you achieve. What’s your take on the balance between remote work and office presence? Let’s discuss in the comments!

😧 The dreaded debate | Work from home vs. work from the office We’re years into the new hybrid solution to working brought on largely by the pandemic, and still, we see so many posts about working from home vs. working from the office. Why is this still such a big debate ❓ We are all different. Different solutions for different people. 👔 Some people love working in the office – they thrive off the social aspects, can concentrate better or are provided with a more stable working environment. 🏡 Others love working from home – they enjoy the independence and trust, it allows them flexibility, and some people have a better set-up working from home than they do in the office because they can be surrounded by home comforts that provide the support they need. Can we please stop debating which is better? Realistically, a hybrid approach is the best solution for all. It also allows those of us who like a bit of both to switch it up regularly. Personally, Mondays and Fridays are days I love to work from home – I structure my week based on doing data based, independent tasks on these days because it allows me to get my head down with no distractions. I save team-based tasks that perform better with human contact and multiple opinions for days I’m surrounded by my colleagues. 👉 Neither avenue is “better” or “best” 👈 We are fortunate enough to live in a society that provides the technology to allow us to work in a way which supports each of us individually in whatever way WORKS FOR US. ⛔ Stop forcing people back to the office just because you’ve decided to renew an expensive lease and want to make the most of it. If someone isn’t performing when they work from home, then HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM. Maybe something is going on at home that hinders their progress. If you trust your employees to get their work done to the best of their ability, then trust them to work in a way that suits them. If you don’t trust them, that’s a bigger issue for you to work out on a case-by-case basis. Ultimately, we will all perform better when we are happier. So let your employees be happy and you will see results – it really is that simple. What is your preferred work set-up? #WFH #WFO

Few things have dominated the headlines in recent history like the debate around the return to office. The truth is, we will never go back to 5 days per week in-office schedules. Flexible and hybrid work are here to stay. Mandate or not, you still need your people to buy into the office experience. So, how can you organically get people into the office? 💭 We surveyed nearly 600 full-time employees at companies that are embracing flexible work to determine what stops people from coming into the office, what draws them in, and what happens once they are there. Here are some of the takeaways:  🔴 Mandates are everywhere but they aren’t sticking. 📉 Employees fear lost productivity when working from the office. 🤝 People don’t want to come to the office but when they do, they feel connected. Check out our 2024 Return To Office Report now to learn how to set up your office for success: https://bit.ly/43nKe7p

There is too much noise around Work From Home versus Return To Office. Some want the employees to come back to office. They say it improves collaboration. Others say that employees are not kids, and that they know what to do. What's common between both these schools of arguments is that surprisingly the evidence that led to the decision seems missing. I am almost confident there is no data behind it when there are blanket rules like these, or rules that say employees can come 3 days a week. Come on, we can be smarter than that, can't we? Why can't we clearly put the data together at least for job types, and justify why we want employees back home, be it one day or five days? Interestingly, Covid has clearly taught us that no one needs to be there in office all the time. I remember that just a month before the Covid lockdowns, our HR came up with this guideline that employees can work only 2 days from home in a month. When I questioned the logic of the number 2, I clearly did not get a convincing answer, other than some blabber on how some industry study shows something to that effect, a study I never saw. And then Covid hit, and we all worked from home, and I should say, way more efficiently. It's interesting to read statements by CEOs of companies that provide amazing technology to make you work from anywhere, asking people to come back to office. For a relief, I also know of companies who have taken the trouble to break down their jobs to component parts and see what parts of the job, what tasks, are better done with the team in a location together (office or cafe doesn't really matter), and what parts are best done from home. Anyway, fun to watch the calls to action, the justifications and the arguments on LinkedIn !! The party has begun 😀

The new era of hybrid working has ushered in a wave of flexibility and autonomy for employees worldwide. With the freedom to work remotely, many have found a better work-life balance, dodging the daily commute, and enjoying the flexibility to handle personal errands between tasks or pick up the kids from school. Yet, as this shift unfolds, businesses grapple with a resistance to returning to the office. It's understandable - why return to the office when you've tasted the freedom of working from home? But here's the catch: with this newfound freedom comes a disconnect. A disconnect from colleagues, from company culture, and from the very essence of what makes a business thrive. 🏢 At the end of the day, when employees genuinely enjoy coming into the office, it's a win-win situation. They're more engaged, more productive, and more deeply connected to the heartbeat of the company. And, they're less likely to leave. 💪 As Cushman & Wakefield aptly put it: “As we no longer need to “go to work” to be working, today’s office buildings need to serve as unique destinations that motivate and inspire people to go into the office; to connect with like-minded people, learn new things, feel connected with the brand and culture of their company and increasingly have access to amenities and services that support their life and wellbeing at work.” At EMU:ID, we believe in building spaces for people first and foremost. Technology and real estate serve as enablers for any business agenda, including its strategy and culture. A well-designed space that supports and reflects these ideals provides a powerful platform for positive experiences that entice staff back to the office. We want to create a workplace that not only meets the needs of today but inspires the workforce of tomorrow.✨ #WorkplaceDesign #EmployeeEngagement #ReturnToOffice #OfficeCulture emuid.co.uk

A recent Guardian article highlighted the increasing push to return to office working post-pandemic and the potential effects this might have on our happiness and wellbeing. Our work environment plays a significant role in how we feel about our jobs. For some, the office camaraderie and connection might help to ease job dissatisfaction. For others, the long commutes, constant interruptions, and background noise will amplify unhappiness. Similarly, working from home offers flexibility and focus for some, while others face loneliness and blurred boundaries. Reflecting on how your environment influences your energy and fulfilment is key to career happiness. How does your current setup support or hinder your happiness? What would a shift back to full-time office-based working mean for you? https://lnkd.in/ez8rb8Jz

As we navigate the evolving landscape of the workplace, it's becoming increasingly clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to office returns might not be the answer. The debate between full-time office work and the flexibility of hybrid models is heating up. With major players like Boots and Laing O’Rourke making headlines for their full-time return mandates, the conversation around what the future of work looks like is more relevant than ever. According to a specialist recruiter, pushing for a full return could potentially deter top talent, highlighting the value that flexibility and work-life balance bring to the table. It's not just about where work gets done but how we can create environments that nurture innovation, collaboration, and satisfaction. At Future of the Office, we believe in tailoring workspace strategies to align with the needs and desires of the workforce, striking the right balance between the undeniable benefits of in-person collaboration and the autonomy that hybrid working offers. What's your take? Should businesses rethink their approach to office returns, or is a full-time return to the office the way forward? #FutureOfWork #HybridWorking #OfficeCulture #EmployeeEngagement https://lnkd.in/dd7tz7Qb

My top tips for getting employees back in the office. Working from the office used to be the standard. But times have changed and technology has developed, making it possible to work from home. When looking for jobs, people expect the flexibility of hybrid working. So how can business leaders argue their case for working in the office? My answer is simple: make the office more fun than home. Wait, what? How can the office be more fun than home? Let’s go back a few steps. Historically, we’ve made it a point to separate the person from the organisation. On one hand, you have your personal life. This is where you thrive! You fill your cup with love and energy. But, you have to pay for this by going to work. Here, you give up all of your energy in return for a salary. So, what if we made the office a place that doesn’t just deplete you? What if the office could also fill your cup? Here’s how you can do that: 👉 Remember that an organisation is not a building. It’s a group of humans. 👉 Change your perspective. Employees are not robots. They have thoughts, emotions and aspirations. 👉 Create a work culture that allows employees to share their ambitions, fears and worries. 👉 Use your recruitment process to look for employees with the same values as your organisation. It may sound crazy, but an environment that allows genuine interactions fosters connections. Those connections allow people to innovate and thrive. The office should be a space that people want to go to. To see each other, share ideas and grow the business together. #management #WorkplaceCulture #inclusion #CEO