How are you handling onsite employees in comparison to those who work offsite?
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, more and more companies have had to shift to remote working options. With a “return to office” notice on the table, employers are now balancing the needs of onsite employees and their WFH counterparts.
The key is to treat all of your employees equally, but to also recognize that their needs may differ depending on where they choose to work.
So where do those needs differ, and how do you balance them?
- Technology: With employees now working from home, employers have needed to consider their home office set-up. Many companies invested in work laptops, cell phones, desks and chairs for their WFH employees, so that they aren’t left in the Stone Age while their in-office counterparts see the benefits of office technology.
- Training: In the past, training and career development programs were limited to in-person events. Now with employees spread out across different locations, offering virtual training and learning opportunities is a great way to connect people working from home and working from office. L&D and career development programs are also a huge draw for applicants today, so this is a great way to attract new talent as well.
- Work/life balance: Many people report a better work/life balance while working from home, resulting in many choosing to remain WFH. It’s important to remain flexible for your in-office employees as well; allowing employees to choose where they’re working for the day, or being flexible with timelines in emergencies, goes a long way with making your in-office employees feel they are not being punished for choosing to work in-office.
- Retirement: Some benefits remain important to all employees, no matter where they are working from. One benefit that employees have been pushing for is better retirement benefits. 401(k) options are a huge draw to employees and result in people investing in companies long term.
- Communication: No matter where your employees are working from, clear, transparent, and direct communication is key to properly leading your team. Where a conference room huddle may have worked in the past, it’s important to ensure that your communication isn’t lagging for one portion of your employees. Keeping everyone in the loop and on the same page shows unity in the company and makes everyone feel like they’re still valued and appreciated.
The key to all of this is equity. With flexibility, any of your employees can choose to be WFH or switch to in-office at any moment; making sure your benefits are equal for both options means that you’re always covered.
Remember to be clear about your benefits package and how it differs: being dynamic and equitable makes you stand out from the rest.
This blog was taken from this SHRM blog.