The pandemic has brought a new challenge to employers around the world, luring employees back to a fixed work routine.

Office authorities are trying to bring employees back to the office after the pandemic period. The authorities have provided additional incentives such as free food, facilities for games like table tennis and places to talk together.

Hybrid working policies were introduced during the Covid era. But such policies did not help in increasing attendance in offices.

Rising food and fuel costs discourage workers from coming to the office and working. Costs remain high even when perks are used, making it a challenge for employers to increase the attractiveness of office work.

"Employers have spent a fair amount of money to make office spaces more attractive and useful," says Kathryn Wilde, chief executive officer of the Partnership for New York City, which has brought benefits ranging from free food to improving social space with ping pong tables.

But a global survey of 80,000 workers by consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates (AWA) shows that employees are not following hybrid working policies.

If organizations had policies requiring two, two, three, or three days in the office, attendance was 1.1 days, 1.6 days, and 2.1 days, respectively, AWA found.

"When we came out of lockdown and regulations were relaxed, people tried coming into the office. And when they got there they found all they were doing was being on Zoom calls," said Andrew Mawson, managing director of AWA.

As workers worked from home during the pandemic, costs fell. Lifestyles have changed. He said that they did not come to the office to go after that.

Senior managers increasingly want to stay at home or where they are, said Kelly Beaver, CEO for UK and Ireland of polling firm Ipsos which is abandoning its two days-a-week hybrid policy in favour of a more flexible approach.

"We find some of them are less tolerant of tiny office frustrations, or they feel traveling to an office is an unnecessary burden ... but they are missing out on networking," she said.

While younger finance industry staff are mindful of how remote working might impact career progress, jobseekers often cite remote working as a preference.

The consultancy is busier now helping companies "retrofit" their offices - making changes like adding more "contemplative space" such as indoor gardens, libraries or informal areas with soft furnishings - than any previous time since the pandemic, said Peter Hogg, cities director at property consultant Arcadis in London.

Since the start of August, 80% of people searching for finance jobs on Flexa, a global online platform which lets users search roles based on flexible working preferences, specified a preference for "remote" or "remote-first" roles, a 33% increase since March, a Flexa spokesperson said.

Employees still hold a great deal of sway, said Peter Hogg, cities director at property consultant Arcadis in London.

"It is a high-risk strategy for firms to be too directive in terms of telling people what they have to do," Hogg said.

The consultancy is busier now helping companies "retrofit" their offices - making changes like adding more "contemplative space" such as indoor gardens, libraries or informal areas with soft furnishings - than any previous time since the pandemic, he said.

One British-based trading firm has begun providing showers, areas to nap in and laundry facilities for bleary-eyed staff working late on deals, said Leeson Medhurst, director of the strategy at Peldon Rose, which designs offices for businesses.

"Our client said 'we're going to view our office as a hotel,' they are catering for the needs of the employee not necessarily the financial needs of the company," he said.

The City of London Corporation - which runs the financial district - said in August that it had hired a "Destination City" program curator to roll out events including theatre, games and live performances.

Those most resistant to returning to the office are people who have relocated to the suburbs and have long commutes, the Partnership for New York City's Wylde said, while younger staff are most likely to turn up. Young people are recognizing that their career advancement is going to depend on relationships in the office.

Chris Gardner, co-CEO at London-based property lender Atelier, said Britain's weakening economy and rising energy costs will likely drive those worried about layoffs to the office faster than free snacks or other inducements.

"If as expected things tighten up later this year then presenteeism and being visible in the office will become more important," he said.

source: Reuters