May 19, 2022. After years of remote work, employees have perfected their home setups, optimized video call lighting, and built routines that boost productivity outside the office. This makes it challenging to figure out how to get people back into the office. Flexible or hybrid options only add to the appeal of working from home, especially with all of its benefits: no commutes, more family time, and greater opportunities for personal pursuits.
Still, the distance from the office can be a drawback. The connection, communication, and inspiration that happen best in person are often hard to replicate remotely. If you’re ready to bring the team back in but need ways to encourage their return, try these incentives.
Money for People Who Come Back Into the Office
Cash is king. When it comes to motivating employees to return to the office, financial incentives still reign supreme. 62% of employees prioritize monetary bonuses in deciding whether to work from the office.
More ways than one. If doing a cash bonus is not your company’s style, remember that time is also money. Entice employees back to the office with perks like extra paid time off or shorter work weeks. For a certain amount of days in the office, reward them with a day working from home—or a day off altogether.
The Real Draw Back to the Office? Cater Snacks and Meals
Fuel your team. Working from home means having the kitchen just a few steps away. Maybe that explains why we’ve now come to expect snacks and food at work. It had become so easy to grab a bite from our pantry between meetings that we crave that experience in the office, too. As employees return to their office routine, help them by offering whole fruits, simple crackers, and pretzels.
Bonus points. Consider catering a meal or two during the week, if you have the space in your budget. Knowing there’s a fresh meal waiting will help everyone focus on getting back into the swing of things.
Hydrate happy
Pour something more. Proper hydration is just as important as full stomachs when it comes to how to get people back into the office. With our Standup 2.0 water dispenser, your employees have the ability to customize what’s in their glass down to the bubbles and the temperature. Everyone can also add delicious flavors and healthy, functional ingredients, such as electrolytes and vitamins. Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining optimal health and a strong immune system; Bevi makes it easy and enjoyable to prioritize your well-being with refreshing, filtered water.
Kickoff party for Getting Everyone Back into the Office
Redrawing the map. Many employees relocated outside city centers during their time away from the office, and companies expanded their talent pool nationwide. That means that, today, people who work together all the time may have never been in the same room before.
Festives for all. Get everyone on the same page, getting to know each other, and excited about working together by throwing a return-to-office kickoff party. Fly in the satellite offices, plan a schedule of strategic and social programming, and remind everyone how much enjoyable and creative it is to be working toward a common goal in the same space. It’ll make all the other remote interactions make more sense, since there will be more of a lived-in context for who everyone is and how they communicate.
Welcome Back Gifts for that First day in the Office
Show you care. Show returning employees how happy you are to have them back with a sustainable gift. Offer a thoughtful gift like a recycled work bag, a reusable water bottle, or something unique to mark their return to the office. Similar to providing meals, covering commuting costs or childcare shows that you’re aware of the extra effort that you’re asking of your employees and that you’re willing to help them through it.
If there isn’t one item or category that makes sense for everyone, allow employees to expense a one-time purchase on something that makes them excited to return to the office. It could be used on plants for their desk, a new outfit, or anything else that contributes to good feelings about being back.
Other Resources for When You’re Thinking About how to get People Back Into the Office
It’s only natural that employees will need a nudge to get back into the office after an extended time away from it. Don’t be afraid to involve the whole company in the process of finding the best way to navigate this transition. They’re the experts on the materials and resources that will successfully fill up your office again.
Ryan Daly
Back to top
