The post-pandemic return-to-office (RTO) saga continues to dominate headlines across North America and in some European countries. From resistance to mandates to the rise of hybrid models and plummeting employee morale, organizations across all white-collar sectors are struggling to find the magic formula that entices employees back to the physical workplace.
While ping-pong tables and free lunches might have held sway in the pre-pandemic era, today’s workforce craves something more fundamental: meaningful engagement and true work-life balance. As a recent CNBC.com article put it, “90% of companies say they’ll return to the office by the end of 2024—but the 5-day commute is ‘dead,’ experts say.” The key quote from that story: “It’s easier for executives to hold on to the old notion that people are really working if they can see them down the hall,” says Dan Kaplan, a senior client partner at Korn Ferry. “It’s almost too hard for some leaders to comprehend a world where that option doesn’t exist, or to consider a radical new approach.”
That attitude just isn’t going to fly these days. As Employee Benefit News recently put it, “Don’t invest in a return to office. Invest in better tech.” Citing Neeha Curtis, vice president of global communications at Jugo, the article notes that “simply enabling communication is no longer companies’ biggest concern in a post-pandemic world… Today’s challenges are not about connectivity, but about engagement, and ensuring that employees in offices and remote settings alike can collaborate and feel like part of the same mission. The “Brady Bunch”-style grid we’re all accustomed to… is not encouraging engagement.”
To that end, this article explores the root causes of RTO pushback and proposes a path forward supported by the right Unified Conferencing and Collaboration (UCC) technology. While RTO may not be as big an issue globally, this article focuses on mitigating perceived RTO conflicts and provides some best practices regarding RTO issue resolution. We’ll delve into why employees are hesitant to return to the office and how the right UCC solutions can bridge the physical and virtual divide, fostering a more engaged and productive workforce, regardless of location.
The Disconnect: Why “Butts in Seats” Isn’t Working
What’s driving the resistance to RTO? The answer lies in a complex web of factors, including:
The Daily Grind: Long commutes eat into personal time, disrupt work-life balance and fuel stress. How severely can extended commutes negatively affect job satisfaction? An in-depth Springer Nature study concluded that an extra 10 minutes of daily commuting time each way reduces job satisfaction as much as a 19% reduction in gross personal income. Even pre-pandemic, research suggested one in four workers have left jobs due to rough commutes.
Flexibility Frustration: Employees crave the flexibility offered by remote work arrangements. Fully 96% of office workers say remote or hybrid work arrangements best support their mental health, according to a 2023 FlexJobs survey of more than 5,600 working professionals.
Missing the Mark: Employees are looking for something more meaningful than catered food. They are looking for a sense of connection, mission, belonging and respect. Yet only six in ten employees feel appreciated by their employers.
Re-thinking RTO: It’s All About Engagement
The key to successful RTO lies in fostering deeper employee engagement. Here’s where UCC technology steps in as a game-changer.
Remember all those awkward video calls where remote participants appeared as a disembodied “Brady Bunch” grid of faces? This lack of engagement is a major barrier to effective collaboration. Studies have shown that traditional video conferencing systems can hinder participation, creativity and innovation. For instance, a research paper on virtual business meetings during the pandemic published by the National Library of Medicine found “frustration about camera issues including the camera angle, proximity of the camera to a participant’s face [and] bad lighting” as users did their best to “muddle through” video conferencing on inadequate platforms.
The success of any RTO strategy hinges on employee engagement. Organizations that prioritize creating a truly engaging work environment, both physically and virtually, are more likely to see positive results.
Investing in state-of-the-art UCC solutions sends a powerful message to employees: We value your contribution, and we’re committed to creating a work environment that fosters collaboration and success.
The Pandemic Paradigm Shift: Productivity Soared, Location Became Irrelevant
But even as the pandemic forced a global experiment in remote work that had its share of bumps, productivity in many sectors improved. A Stanford University study showed that productivity increased by an average of 9% among remote workers by 2022. This called into question the belief that in-office presence is essential for getting things done.
The latest UCC platforms offer a suite of features designed to bridge the physical divide and foster real connections, doing its best to replicate the “accidental meeting” or “water cooler moments” that can be lost in a remote or hybrid environment. Although we all know that replicating the “accidental meeting” is not really possible, there are many ways, through deployment of the right technology to do better, including:
High-Definition Video and Audio: High-definition visuals via 4k cameras and crisp audio ensure everyone feels seen and heard. This not only improves communication but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
Smart Virtual Whiteboards: Real-time collaboration tools allow for brainstorming and problem-solving regardless of location. Team members can work together on shared documents and collaboration tools like smart virtual whiteboards, fostering a sense of shared purpose and innovation.
Meeting Equity: Advanced features like intelligent speaker tracking and “geo-fencing” can ensure everyone participates actively, eliminating the feeling of being a passive observer on a video call. This promotes inclusivity and ensures all voices are heard, regardless of location.
The Future of Work: UCC for Every Work Style
The modern workforce demands flexibility. A Slack survey of more than 9,000 knowledge workers found that 72% prefer a mix of remote and office work. A UCC solution that integrates with existing tools and workflows minimizes disruption and maximizes user adoption.
The beauty of UCC lies in its adaptability. It caters to the diverse work styles and locations of today’s workforce:
- Remote workers can participate fully in meetings from the comfort of their home offices.
- Hybrid teams can collaborate seamlessly, bridging the gap between physical and virtual environments.
- Third spaces like coffee shops or satellite offices become viable options with seamless UCC integration.
- The Bring Your Own Media/Device (BYOD) trend is effortlessly accommodated, allowing employees to use their preferred devices for conferencing.
Ultimately, UCC empowers organizations to deliver on the promise of a flexible and engaging work experience. It transcends location limitations and fosters a sense of community, regardless of where employees choose to work.
The ROI of UCC: Beyond Just Collaboration
Investing in UCC technology isn’t just about fostering engagement. It offers a strong return on investment (ROI) for organizations via:
Increased Productivity: Improved communication and collaboration lead to faster decision-making, fewer errors, and streamlined workflows. High-performance UCC solutions can increase employee productivity “from 16% without performance management tools to 21% with them,” according to Nemertes Research.
Reduced Costs: Reduced travel expenses, smaller office footprints and improved resource utilization contribute to cost savings through the use of effective video conferencing solutions.
Actionable Steps for Organizations
To get started down this path, consider conducting employee surveys to understand specific needs and concerns regarding RTO.
Next, work with trusted conferencing and collaboration distribution and integration partners that can provide the latest and greatest in UCC solutions, delivering enhanced engagement, collaboration and greater meeting equity—be it locally, regionally, nationally or globally.
Then, be sure you can provide the employee training and support to ensure employees feel comfortable with and will use these new solutions.
Finally, create a culture of inclusivity where all voices are heard and valued, regardless of location.
Key Takeaways
- The traditional approach to RTO no longer resonates with employees who value flexibility and work-life balance.
- Fostering deeper employee engagement is crucial for a successful RTO strategy.
- The right UCC solutions offer a range of features that can enhance communication, collaboration and meeting equity.
- Again, the right UCC solutions can benefit organizations by increasing productivity, reducing costs and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Investing in UCC technology demonstrates a commitment to a future of work that prioritizes flexibility and human connection.
Conclusion
The RTO debate is far from over and is not simply about location. It’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, engaged and empowered to collaborate effectively. By embracing the right UCC technology and prioritizing a human-centric approach, organizations can navigate the evolving work landscape and build a future where location doesn’t limit productivity or stifle creativity.
UCC can bridge the RTO divide and usher in a new era of collaboration, fostering a sense of connection and belonging regardless of physical proximity.
Finally, partnering with an expert UCC solution distributor and integration partner, regardless of your geographic footprint albeit local, regional, national or global can help create the positive strategic business outcomes you seek, providing a shortcut for commercial businesses in developing an optimal RTO strategy with maximum flexibility and enhanced employee engagement.
Phil Langley
Phil Langley is the Senior Vice President, Global Enterprise A/V and UCC. Phil’s extensive background in power distribution and substation control set the stage for an early entry in the European Pro A/V industry. For over 20 years, Phil has consistently led in nearly every facet of the ICT space from consultancies to system integrators, manufacturing, and distribution across the globe.
