How To Motivate Employees To Return To The Office?

Being Motivated …

Between motivation and practical ability to attend, there is a difference. 

Work needs, travel or access can affect the ability to go to work. It is also different to be inspired to go back to work. You are returning to the office for work that benefits from being together. 

Recommended for you ➡️To Get People Back in the Office, Make It Social

Motivation vs. Return To Office (RTO)  

The connection motivation and return to office is a huge discussion according to these resources: 

1. Understanding and shaping the future of work with self-determination theory
2. Encouraging employees to return to the office while maintaining flexibility and choice

The 2022 Nature review abstract addresses worker motivation through competence, autonomy and relatedness. BIT’s Australian/2022 account discusses differing office preferences and preserving choice. These conceptual and contextual readings do not establish productivity gains or an ideal attendance schedule. There is more to the motivation aspect that people seek and learn to be able to grow. The real connection between motivation and RTO is the company and the employees. Also, looking at what the company does or plans to do in return. 

The connection between RTO and Motivation brings 3 factors that are mentioned every day: flexibility, productivity, and time management. These aspects are vital to any company and hybrid work models will always be aiming at those factors. 

Check out ➡️ Effective Return to Work Communication Tips How this vital skill can be supportive enabling you to bring your employees to return to the office.  

What Motivates People To Return To Office?

Motivation matters when it comes to returning to the office. 

Here are four possible purposes to assess against actual work needs: 

1. Cohesive Workplace Culture 
2. Building Strong Innovative Ideas
3. Friendly Work Space and Environment
4. Having Productivity and Flexibility together in a package   

Clear communication about the work purpose and arrangements can help create a smooth transition. 

Read more ➡️ How to Stay Motivated at Work 

What Helps Companies Get Their Employees Back Into The Office? 

To start is to create a return to work strategy and plan to implement the next steps of what the company will do.

1. Listen individually. Suggested question: “What makes office visits difficult, and which work is worth doing together?”
2. Choose a useful shared activity, such as an ideas session, and communicate its purpose, participants and timing in advance. Offer optional non-work social time, such as a team dinner, as an opportunity for colleagues to get to know one another. Keep participation voluntary, with welcoming alternatives such as a daytime coffee break or informal remote chat for anyone who cannot or prefers not to attend.
3. Keep agreed flexibility. Address travel or access barriers and arrange accessible participation, including remote participation where needed.
4. Review employee feedback and actual work or delivery outcomes; attendance alone is not success. Adjust the plan.

Here are resources provided by Litespace that can help you and your employees have a smooth transition back into the office. Use these as optional starting points; adapt dated material to your current plan. 

1. Ready, Set, Return: The Ultimate Return to Office Kit
2. A Flexible Return to Office Plan Template
3. Return-to-office survey questionnaire
4. Return to Office Survey Questionnaire + Template

These resources from Litespace, do provide your company with a great start to understand and learn how to keep your employees motivated. Explain the purpose of returning to the office: which work needs time together and how the plan supports your employees.