Since the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020, much of our American labor pool has been working from home. Other companies adopted a hybrid model, keeping a part of the team onsite and virtually connecting with the rest. This dynamic continued through the changing stages of our health mandates, even with vaccination cycles and the scary Delta variant. 

In time, some companies realized that the performance levels of at-home employees soared, proving that for them, the social distancing approach was a great success.
Other employers, however, noticed that productivity suffered when employees were off site.
But what remains true for many corporations is that they need their people back: The return to the office is crucial for business.

When employers summoned their members to come back, they found themselves challenged with a great deal of resistance, refusals and resignations.

Now, a new pitch is needed. Business owners need to come up with rightful ways to entice their teams to give up the comfort and advantages of working from home and join a more attractive office environment.
These 3 tips explain some of the ways industry leaders can turn their workplace into a proposition of value no one in their right mind would turn down.

1. Offer them a SAFE workplace.
In Covid times, distancing, cleanliness and caution are imperative. Your employees will feel more comfortable with an in-person work scenario if the space they occupy feels healthy, well-maintained and protected.
Enforce a proper mask mandate for indoor spaces. Allow ample space between working stations and block off chairs for group meetings. Make sure the necessary dividers and shields are in place, and keep areas impeccable, with constant sanitation protocols. Vaccine requirements are also strongly recommended to make everyone feel more at ease and be able to perform their duties without the added stress of a lethal virus flying around. 

2. Offer them a BENEFICIAL workplace.
At home work is a money-saving alternative for many employees. It’s also very convenient for those who care for children or family members.
Consider how much workers spend on a daily basis, just by traveling to their jobs: transportation, tolls, parking, coffee, snacks, lunch, clothes, even makeup, etc.

If companies reimburse team members for some of these unavoidable costs or contribute additional incentives, then the idea of returning to the office would be more tempting.
Your staff will feel appreciated and taken care of. That way, not many will want to miss out on a well-paid position that also offers free parking, gourmet coffee, food treats, a laid-back dress code, flexible hours and for some, even child-care options. 

3. Offer them a MAGNIFICENT workplace.
After everything else is taken care of there is still one very important element to consider: the quality of the office space itself. 
If you want your employees to truly choose the office setting and maximize their time there, you must create a workspace that is not only comfortable, functional and high-quality but actually beautiful and motivating.

No one wants to commute for hours through rush-hour traffic every day to arrive at their dated, uncomfortable, and dreadful workplace. Professionals want and need a space that enhances their performance. 
With all the time your staff members sit at their desks, holding meetings and collaborating, the most supportive thing you can do is to ensure their wellbeing by investing in an office that is equipped with the appropriate tools. Comfort, efficiency, and ease of movement will be fundamental for the level of performance you expect of them.

Let your employees know you respect and value their time, talent and presence, by arming them with a modern and functional workspace. Spark their creativity and awaken their love for the task by designing a mindful work experience within an environment that is pleasant, productive and thoughtful.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: If your team is bored and uncomfortable, your company will suffer. If your team is engaged and empowered, your company will thrive. So if you want your workforce back and excited about it, the best way to lure them in is to give them a workplace they can truly be proud of. 

Written by Kika Pérez for UOF Editorial