Many small business owners are conflicted about where and when employees should work. Some tried fully remote working during the pandemic and found it lacking. Others work in an industry requiring an in-person presence. Regardless of your situation, it’s impossible to please everyone. Instead, you’ll need to open your lines of communication and find ways to make the transition smoother. Learn how to meet employee expectations and ensure a seamless return to work.
Returning to work: how employees’ expectations changed
The pandemic shifted the priorities of many working adults. Gartner reported that “58% of employees said the pandemic has changed [their] perspective on the desirability of [their] workplace location.” Indeed, McKinsey said, “when people have the chance to work flexibly, 87% of them take it.” Employee expectations also impact worker turnover.
Pew Research found that nearly one-third of surveyed workers left a job because they wanted to relocate. Of those with a new position, 53% said they “have an easier time balancing work and family responsibilities,” and 50% believe they “have more flexibility to choose when they put in their work hours.” Likewise, McKinsey discovered that the third most popular reason for leaving a job was the desire to find a “flexible working arrangement.”
