Return-to-Office Mandates Risk Disengaged Employees, Says HR Firm McLean & Company

The new data-backed Return-to-Office Playbook from the global HR research and advisory firm explains that while organizations can use forced mandates to ensure employees are physically present in the office, they will not be able to force employees to be mentally engaged at work.

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - As an increasing number of organizations are enacting return-to-office (RTO) policies to bring employees back to the physical office, the risk of dissatisfied and disengaged employees accustomed to remote and hybrid work models is also rising. With the news of a growing number of organizations working to implement such policies, HR research and advisory firm McLean & Company has released its new resource, Return-to-Office Playbook. The firm, a trusted resource for HR leaders, advises that organizations need an intentional, well-thought-out approach to ensure that RTO mandates are sustainable and meet both employee and organizational needs.

McLean & Company's RTO playbook highlights that a mandated one-size-fits-all approach is associated with numerous risks, including exclusion, increased turnover and disengagement, reduced productivity, employee backlash, and declining trust in the organization. The firm's research indicates that these risks come with associated costs related to addressing reduced ability to recruit and retain talent, increased turnover, and lost engagement and productivity.

"Organizations must understand the unique challenges of their workforce when employing RTO policies," says LynnAnn Brewer, executive advisor at McLean & Company. "Many employees made drastic changes to their lives during the pandemic, such as relocating, and are now required to make significant changes again, which can result in increased stress and anxiety. Leaders must practice empathy and flexibility throughout the return process to mitigate the risks of losing talent or damaging employee engagement and employer reputation."

The new resource further underscores the important role timing plays in the initial stages of RTO implementation. External factors like weather, holidays, and other geographic considerations, as well as personal factors such as family or caretaker responsibilities, will impact employees' experience coming into the office. To address implementation concerns, the firm suggests employing a diverse strategic planning team with different backgrounds and experience levels to provide diverse perspectives and help mitigate bias.

To support organizational and HR leaders in their efforts to create and implement an RTO policy that meets the needs of both employees and the organization, McLean & Company has identified a three-step plan. Explored in-depth in the playbook, the steps are outlined below at a high level:

The playbook advises that there will always be a small portion of the workforce that is dissatisfied with the RTO policy. As such, McLean & company recommends organizations must do everything they can to ensure the policy implemented is flexible and supported by a strong rationale to avoid deteriorating organizational wellbeing. The firm also counsels organizational and HR leaders that while monitoring and making necessary adjustments to the policy is crucial, an organization that keeps resetting the RTO policy is likely to frustrate its employees. To avoid further dissatisfying employees, any changes to the RTO policy should directly address issues identified through and backed by data.

To access the full guide, visit the Return-to-Office Playbook.

McLean & Company also offers workshops to HR professionals to support them in program building and navigating other nuances of their roles. For more information, please visit mcleanco.com/workshops.

Media interested in connecting with McLean & Company analysts for exclusive, data-backed insights and commentary on implementing a successful RTO policy, generative AI in HR, the future of work, and more can connect with Senior Communications Manager Kelsey King at kking@infotech.com. 

Signature 2023 Conference

For HR leaders as well as C-suite and VP-level executives who are responsible for enabling, streamlining, and future-proofing their organizations' HR functions, Signature, McLean & Company's highly anticipated HR industry conference, is returning from November 5 to 7, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.

Register for Signature 2023 or learn more here. 

Through data-driven insights and proven best-practice methodologies, McLean & Company offers comprehensive resources and full-service assessments, action plans, and training to position organizations to meet today's needs and prepare for the future.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact kking@infotech.com.

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SOURCE McLean & Company