Read this before coming back to the office in South Africa

Since the pandemic began, work-from-home has been lauded as the new working model for many occupations. Now, with vaccination efforts ramping up, some employers are eager to get their staff back to the office.

“Organisations need to plan and execute that migration sensibly and with sensitivity to keep productivity high,” says Muhammed Goolab, exco member at the South African Reward Association (SARA).

Below he outlined some of the key considerations that both employers and employees should be aware of before heading back to the office.

Unique business needs

Unique driving forces may require employees to resume their duties on-premises.

“Certain types of teams are simply more productive working together than remotely. Some management structures and styles are not easily adapted for digital collaboration, or managers perceive a loss of control under a work-from-home model,” said Goolab.

It can also be more difficult to onboard new employees or impart essential skills to junior staff at a distance, he said.

“Remote employees themselves could feel disconnected from the organisation and isolated from their peers. A lack of personal connection can weigh heavily on their mental health, well-being and productivity.

“This is especially concerning when the customer experience is impacted by demotivated frontline staff.”

Hybrid working models

Although circumstances may require a return to work, employers will likely favour a hybrid model.

A mix of on-site and work-from-home employees can increase productivity and offer flexibility that promotes employees’ overall well-being.

While remote workers enjoy lower work-related expenses, like travel, employers can also scale back on office space, equipment, canteen and other costs, said Goolab.

“Conversely, tensions need to be managed as on-premises workers may perceive their remote counterparts as less productive but receiving better benefits, and therefore unfairly remunerated.”

Culture shock

For some employees, long-term work-from-home has become an entrenched work culture in their daily lives and a sudden return to the workplace could prove disruptive.

Others are only too happy to get back to a professional environment free from distractions, said Goolab.

“Employers can leverage these contrasting attitudes to map out a planned and gradual return that welcomes affected workers back a few days more each week or month to ease their transition to full-time attendance,” said Goolab.

Work-from-home as a reward

Before getting all hands back on deck, organisations should review work-from-home as a benefit that can attract and retain in-demand talent.

Employees with sought-after qualifications and skills, and who value greater flexibility, will be drawn to employers that afford them more freedom, trusting them to manage their workload responsibly, said Goolab.

“Employers can also attract talent from a much wider and more diverse talent pool than they could if requiring staff to be at the workplace.”

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