How To Convince Management Office Mandates Are A Bad Idea

Frustrated by RTO mandates?  This article explores why flexibility is best for employees & companies. Learn how to navigate the conversation with senior management.

Feeling the pressure to herd everyone back into cubicles? We hear you!

If your business leaders are considering office mandates, now is the time to push back as this one-fits-all approach can have disastrous implications for your business. Research shows that 80% of employees crave flexibility when choosing a job. If you start enforcing office policies, you are going to take a backwards step in the hiring market. The study further suggests that flexibility can lead to a 13% boost in productivity and a less stressed workforce. So, instead of battling the inevitable groans about cubicle life, we'll show you the best way to prove to your chief executive that flexibility is the way forward.

In this article, we will explore the downsides of office mandates, the benefits of flexibility, and practical strategies to discuss these findings with your senior leadership team.

Let’s get straight to it!

Why Embrace and Preach Flexibility?

The pressure to mandate office attendance may be strong, but a vibrant work culture doesn't thrive on strict return-to-office policies. Instead, it flourishes with a happy and engaged team, which is more achievable through flexibility. And when we talk about flexible working, it's not limited to remote work alone.

Workplace flexibility lets you adjust your schedule and workspace to suit your lifestyle. That could mean remote, on-site, or hybrid working. This freedom makes work more enjoyable, boosting productivity and satisfaction.

Let's take a closer look at why flexibility is the winning strategy for your company:

• Employee Well-being and Work-Life Balance: Flexible work arrangements allow employees to manage personal needs and responsibilities. That will help build and maintain a happier and more engaged workforce.
• Boosted Productivity: Studies have shown that employees with flexible work options often report increased productivity. A significant 73% of employers agree with this finding. With flexible work arrangements, employees can deliver results without the interruptions of lengthy commutes or the distractions of a traditional office environment.
• Talent Acquisition and Retention: Flexibility is a major perk in today's job market. A flexible work policy can make your company a magnet for skilled candidates who value autonomy.
• Reduced Costs: Maintaining a full-time office incurs significant overhead. A hybrid or remote work model can free up resources to reinvest in employee development or other strategic areas.
• Improved Office Culture: A flexible work policy doesn't mean the end of office culture. Flexibility builds trust and empowers employees. This leads to a more engaged workforce and a stronger sense of belonging, even in a hybrid setting.

Demonstrating these advantages will allow you to navigate conversations with your seniors. That way, you advocate for a policy that benefits employees and the company.

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Addressing Senior Leadership Concerns About Flexibility 

While you plan to discuss flexibility with senior management, know that introducing flexibility and autonomy isn't without challenges. Seniors push for office mandates for different reasons. While these concerns are valid, they can be addressed through well-designed hybrid work models that combine the benefits of in-person interaction with the flexibility of remote working.

Here are a few of their potential concerns and some data-driven counterpoints to help you advocate for flexibility:

Concerns About Collaboration and Innovation

One key challenge some leaders worry about is ensuring clear communication in a team that's not always physically together. As Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo, once said, "Communication is the biggest hurdle with remote work. You have to be very intentional about over-communicating." 

Research shows that robust tech tools can boost collaboration across stretched distances by 20-25%. Remote teams can leverage technology and project management software to stay connected and on track. This might involve implementing project management software that updates everyone in real-time, scheduling regular video meetings, and establishing clear communication protocols.

Being able to see who is in the office each day is a key component of this. Using desk booking tools like Officely allows your team to know who is in the office each day so they can be intentional about coming in and collaborating.

Maintaining Company Culture

Senior leaders may be concerned about disconnecting from company culture if employees are primarily remote. They might see the physical office as a way to maintain a sense of community and shared values. However, company culture is built on shared values, not shared desks. Maintaining a strong culture requires intentional effort, regardless of location. 

According to Flair HR’s research, 45% of hybrid or remote workers have perceived an improvement in their company's culture, while 28% of the on-site workers observed a regression. So, how do you foster a sense of community when your team is scattered across locations? Workplace flexibility can help improve company culture. It breeds a sense of trust and empowerment among employees. This positive atmosphere can lead to stronger relationships among team members and a greater sense of belonging within the organization.

Management Visibility and Oversight

Some managers also worry about performance management, as they want to keep a watchful eye on a remote or hybrid team. This could be a misguided perception, but it's a factor nonetheless. 

The good news is that effective performance management doesn't rely solely on physical proximity. Clear performance goals, regular check-ins (virtual or in-person), and data-driven feedback can ensure top performance regardless of location. A report from Gallup surprisingly found that remote employees are actually more productive than their in-office counterparts. The key is to set clear goals, have regular check-ins, and use data-driven feedback tools like Officely. This ensures everyone thrives in a flexible environment, regardless of location.

As these concerns are raised, addressing them with data and clear solutions will help you confidently contribute to the conversation around office mandates. You can position yourself to advocate for a policy that promotes employee well-being, productivity, and overall company success.

Office Space Costs

Whether they admit it or not, the sight of an unused office that costs many thousands a month is often the critical factor that keeps business leaders up at night. They often disguise this by using the well-healed factors above, but the thought of wasted dollars is the driving force. The best way to alleviate these fears is to use a desk booking tool, which will allow you to monitor your office usage. So when your office lease ends, you know exactly how much space you need—allowing you to downsize your office and save a considerable amount of money. If you force employees back to the office, you'll never be able to reduce the size of your office, and you'll be forever saddled with an unnecessarily high cost. 

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The Realities Of RTO Mandates and Costs Of Inflexibility 

While companies like Disney, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs are enforcing full office returns, studies show it might not be the best strategy. Many employees are clearly unhappy with RTO mandates. Employee experience surveys indicate a clear preference for flexibility. Over 50% of workers prefer a hybrid working model, and many prefer fully remote working. 

However, another study revealed that 7 in 10 companies globally have mandated full return, leading to disengagement, decreased morale, and even quiet quitting. Companies that aren't flexible risk losing top talent, facing lower productivity, and incurring higher costs due to wasted resources on underutilized office workspace.

According to a recent study by Insights, employees are three times more likely to stay when given the freedom to choose between on-site, remote, and hybrid workplace options. The study also reveals that they are twice as likely to stay if their team can choose a preferred remote work policy. These findings highlight the significant role flexibility plays in retaining employees. 

While senior leaders might have good intentions behind office work mandates, a rigid return-to-office policy can negatively impact the company. Your top employees may leave for workplaces with better and more suitable work policies. But, by providing flexibility, the risk of losing valuable employees becomes minimal.

How do You convince your boss to embrace flexible working?

Ready to make your case for flexible work? Here are some key strategies to convince your boss;

1. Gather Your Evidence: Arm yourself with data on the benefits of flexibility, like increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Show how RTO mandates can lead to decreased morale and talent drain.
2. Frame it as a Win-Win: Don't just focus on employee needs. Highlight how a flexible work model can benefit the company by reducing the overhead cost of the office and attracting top talent.
3. Be Data Led: Propose a trial period with clear metrics to track success.
4. Focus on Solutions, Not Just Problems: Present Officely (or another solution) as a tool to facilitate a smooth transition to a flexible work environment.
5. Be Prepared to Address Concerns: Anticipate senior leadership's worries about collaboration or visibility. Show how technology can bridge any potential gaps.

Create A Thriving, Flexible Workplace With Officely

Transitioning to flexible work arrangements offers exciting opportunities but also challenges. As you suggest this shift, it's best to have the right tool to support your arguments. You'll need one that boosts employee morale and productivity while addressing the concerns of senior leaders. 

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Officely makes flexible work, really work. See who is working where each day - whether they are in the office, at home or travelling. Get personalized suggestions for the best office days and arrive to find everything you need—from a desk to your lunch order—ready and waiting.

• Streamlined Scheduling: Officely makes booking desks, conference rooms, and other resources a breeze. It ensures everyone has the space they need when needed.
• Increase Office Visibility: If your employees don’t know who is in the office, they are unlikely to go in. Officely broadcasts who is booked in each day and what’s happening in the office to your Slack or Teams channel.
• Smart Office Day Recommendations: Officely recommends the best days for in-office collaboration based on team preferences and needs, right in your Slack workspace.
• Make data-driven decisions: From office usage to individual attendance, we provide insights for you to understand what is and isn’t working at your flexible office.
• All inside Slack and MS Teams: No need to onboard your team, assign logins or introduce a new tool. Officely lives where your team already works.

See how Officely can help your company thrive in a hybrid setting. Book a free demo today!

Over To You!

The verdict is clear- flexibility is vital to a happy, productive workforce. But how do you bridge the gap and convince leadership?

Equip yourself with the knowledge. This article highlighted the downsides of rigid office mandates and the benefits of a flexible work model. Take advantage of the points when advising your boss to embrace flexible working.

Ready to unlock the power of flexibility? Try Officely for free today!

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