Last year’s move to remote work increased the feelings of inclusion for many employees because everyone was in the same situation. Now, as the uniformity of work from home (WFH) gives way to a hybrid work environment, managers have to confront an even wider range of HR challenges including attracting and retaining talent. The key to attracting and retaining talent is a company policy that acknowledges and complements employee needs. This means inquiry. Read the studies and ask the experts but, most importantly, speak to your team because they know what they want better than the researchers. Here is what you should cover.
Purpose
Give your people a reason to engage with the workplace beyond the basics of a paycheck. Purpose drives loyalty, inspiring and motivating employees to stick with you instead of jumping ship at the first better offer.
Flexibility
Surveys show that many employees today would rather leave a job than work for an employer that does not have the option to work from home. This is both a consequence of having had a positive WFH experience and a fear of exposing themselves to the virus. Business leaders should formulate a plan which incorporates a hybrid model of work across all roles. This could be dedicated WFH positions as well as a rotating roster of office attendance and WFH.
It is important to remember that not all employees prefer the WFH experience; for many, the office is a calm and orderly escape from the chaos, noise, and distractions of home. In that sense, choice is the keyword. If you oversee a diverse team, understand that many would forgo the perks some perceive by working from home. They prefer the chance to step into their corporate avatars for the workplace. Give them that option.
Amenities
For many people, the work experience is more important than the size of their salary. Some of the world’s largest companies have been able to attract the most talented pool of people because they offer workplaces that focus on wellness and mental health as well as the bottom line.
An investment in facilities such as a gym—or smaller things such as a good coffee machine or foosball tables—bring an intriguing luster to your company. Organizations that offer out-of-the-box amenities do not just attract talent directly but also create a buzz that draws the best in the field.
The Flipside
Research shows that remote meeting fatigue is a real phenomenon. Most of us would attest to that revelation. However, another of that study’s findings was less obvious: participants who began a working relationship online found working with each other in person to be more difficult afterward.
The implication is that employees may struggle to maintain momentum if they are now allowed or compelled to collaborate within the same office. Productivity may be better served by maintaining the distance paradigm.
Such unusual and unpredictable bumps in the road are more frequent on the unfamiliar route we are traveling on. As a leader, you will have to keep an ear to the ground and respond in accordance with the needs of your industry, your company, and your team.
Please contact me today if you would like to further discuss how to attract and retain diverse talent in your organization.
