28/06/2023
Could flying people to the moon be an easier problem to solve than getting people back into the office?
In March, paused construction on part of their massive second headquarters in Virginia – partly because they're having a problem getting their staff to come into the office.
They are far from the only company struggling to bring people back.
The challenge for employers is this: the priorities of their staff have drastically shifted. Employees are looking for a sense of belonging, doing work that matters and more wellbeing.
And they are willing to trade higher salaries, perks and promotions to get that.
In a recent survey of 1,073 executives and managers in the United States, 87 % agreed that improving workplace well-being can give their companies a competitive advantage.
And in a study from , corporate wellbeing services, gym and massages made it into the top 5 things people are looking for in the workplace.
If companies want to get people to come back to the office, you have to offer a pull. Not a push. Because it doesn't work; it just creates resentment.
Create a pull back to the office by offering employees what they are yearning for.
In the two years we've been open, we've discovered that we humans all have five needs at work – backed by science. And that when they're met in the office, people want to spend more time there.
They are:
🧘♂️ Rest: intentional breaks during workday to rejuvenate and recharge
🏃 Movement: incorporating physical activity and regular body movement into the work routine
👓 Focus: dedicating uninterrupted time and attention to a specific task or project
🧐 Learning: gaining new know-how or skills to enhance personal and professional growth
🤗 Belonging: the sense of connection, acceptance, and inclusion within a community
What do you think? What other conditions do we need to meet to make in-office work worth it?
