As companies throughout the country transition from remote work back to the office, employers can help their employees through the process by giving them a voice and options, said George Mason University School of Business professor Victoria Grady.
“Employers can help employees make the transition by giving them the power to define what their new normal will look like,” said Grady, an assistant professor of management specializing in organizational change. “By giving employees a voice, they will feel supported and heard. Employees want to know they have some choice in how they return.”
Grady suggests, when possible, giving employees real options, such as whether they want to return in a hybrid manner or with different hours. If the company ultimately has the goal of returning employees to the office more fully, Grady suggests giving employees a period of time to process the transition, such as a few months of working partially back at the office and partially at home.
Grady suggests that companies think creatively about whether hybrid work can be a long-term option for employees while still maintaining core objectives.
“For the past 18 months, we’ve just been surviving, but now we have the time to think about what we want from our employees and how to connect them to their work and reason for working in a way that’s meaningful,” she said.
Employers should also find ways to ensure the safety of their employees and let them know what’s being done to keep them protected. In addition, Grady suggests that employers remind employees of the positives of being back in the office, such as facetime with managers and casual conversations and connections with their peers.
“There are going to be people who don’t want to go back to work and think they are just as productive or even more productive at home,” said Grady. “They may be right, but it’s good to use optimism and positivity when talking about how many connections they make when just walking by their colleagues in the hallways or stopping by their offices for a chat.”
To reach Victoria Grady directly, please contact her at vgrady3@gmu.edu
For more information, contact Anna Stolley Persky at apersky@gmu.edu
About George Mason
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at gmu.edu.