7 Reasons Why Employees Hesitate to Return to the Office
COVID-19 is over, and most companies are demanding their white-collar employees to return to their 9-to-5 office schedule. But the irony is that most of these employees hesitate to return to the office, and some have taken the extreme decision of quitting their job. In a recent poll, 65% of workers said they would prefer to work remotely indefinitely.
This trend is recorded mostly among those employed in MNCs specializing in software development and outsourcing. Most cite the flexibility, autonomy, and work-life balance provided by working from the comfort of their homes. Here are the most common reasons employees are reluctant to return to the workplace.
Top Reasons Why Employees Hesitate to Return to the Office
Disgusting City Traffic
- Living in a city is a mess, considering the never-ending traffic jams and poorly developed transport infrastructure. It is hard to reach the office on time, not to mention the return. So work is not just 8 hours for everyone.
- For instance, the Bangalore Silk Board junction is the most traffic-clogged region in Asia. Long commutes and hours spent in traffic jams are exhausting and consume valuable personal time that is otherwise used for quality time with loved ones.
Money Matters
- Most white-collar jobs are located in a place where high-speed internet is available. It will obviously be a metropolitan city. But here is the catch: city living is costly, and it comes with additional costs for commuting.
- On the other side, working from home is a comfort zone for most of the employees, where they can save a lot on accommodation, food, and transportation. At the end of the day, there is no better experience than having dinner served by your mother with love and care.
Flexibility is the Key
- Work from home is all about flexibility, and an employee can work from anywhere he or she feels comfortable, even when traveling. The only mandate is to get the job done within a deadline.
- But work from the office is rigid, and employees have to maintain a strict 9-to-5 schedule. Employees are ordered to arrive and depart at specific times. This may not go well with employee lifestyles and responsibilities.
Freedom From Toxicity
- Freedom is not given; it is taken. Employees took it seriously. Remote work grants employees the autonomy to structure their workdays. They have found a balance between professional duties and their personal commitments.
- On the contrary, organization management may turn toxic, and employees need to face this on a daily basis and are forced to take sides in office politics. For some, remote work became an escape route from such environments.
Caring for the Child
- Nothing comes between a mother-child relationship, even a high-paying job. It is evident, as many working mothers quit their jobs for the sake of raising their children. For mothers, working from home was a blessing in disguise.
- Working mothers were happy to complete their work without jeopardizing the care of their children. However, considering the high prices of daycares and low savings when working from the office, this is a big red flag for why working mothers hesitate to return to the office.
Productivity
- In a recent study, it was highlighted that employees work more productively when they are happy. And there is no better place to be happy than our own home. In addition, the shift to remote work allowed employees to create customized workspaces conducive to productivity and personal work styles.
- In the end, there is nothing more important than mental peace. So it is a genuine reason for employees hesitate to return to the office.
Evolving Remote Work Opportunities
- Unlike in the past, remote work opportunities are evolving to new heights. It could be in the form of virtual offices, freelancing websites, or even the back offices of high-end companies offering work from home.
- Moreover, employees are aware of their rights thanks to social media gurus. What employees today are looking for is not just a job or even a salary. It is a job that sustains their quality of life and overall life experience.
Finding the Balance
Working from the office is not everyone’s cup of tea. And return to the office ultimatums will undoubtedly cause some talents to quit. And the remaining workforce won’t be happy. Employees have tasted the juice of working from home, and they will inadvertently reject anything that objects to this freedom and flexibility. The only way out for employers is to make an offer that balances company policy with employee choices and welfare.
The hybrid nature of work can be the perfect idea to address it. In this world, where corporations are evolving to a four-day work week, it is necessary to discover new metrics and benchmarks to balance employee productivity and work-life balance. In the meantime, employers should make the work environment comfortable and accommodating so that employees are eager to return to the office.
