Change your approach to return-to-work

Long story short: Are you ready to change your approach to return-to-work?

September 23, 2022 1:08 PM

If you're asking employees to return to the office, are your benefits and policies making it worth it?

The fall season has signaled more rumblings around return to work plans — while just 4% of U.S. employers have mandated a full-time return, half of leaders want their workers back at their desks for 2023, according to research from Microsoft. Yet the workplace has changed significantly, and the policies and culture of in-person work needs to change, too.

In this week's top stories, pre-COVID norms around dress codes could now stunt hard-earned progress on DEI. Allowing employees to bring their full selves to work — whether in-person or remote — can foster greater inclusion and prevent implicit biases from seeping back into your culture.

And for working parents, a return to commuting and in-work expectations could be a blow, if they're not offered the necessary support. An executive from Veris Insights shares how benefits like child care stipends, flexible work policies and more can help make your organization an appealing place for parents to work.

Ask yourself — are return-to-office policies in the best interest of the people who work for you? Check out these stories to make an informed choice.

This CEO believes company dress codes are bad for DEI

As more employers ask their workers to return to the office, this may also mean a return to slacks, button-ups and blouses. Yet, a traditional dress code could get in the way of a company's DEI promises.

While appearance-based bias stems from factors like height, weight, race and other cultural identifying features, as well as wardrobe, a dress code does not make it easier for diverse talent to feel comfortable in their own skin at work, says Ritu Bhasin, CEO of DEI firm, Bhasin Consulting. She speaks with associate editor Deanna Cuadra on why employers should drop their dress code requirements and allow employees to show up as their authentic selves.

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This CEO believes company dress codes are bad for DEI

BFFs with your boss: The pros and cons of work friendships

Work friendships can be pivotal to improving workplace happiness and productivity. Wildgoose USA, a team-building program provider, discovered that 57% of employees believe work friends make their job more enjoyable, and 22% say their friendships make them more productive and creative.

However, employees may want to be cautious when establishing deeper bonds with their colleagues. "Being over-friendly can harm relationships and make it difficult to discuss more professional matters," says Jonny Edser, managing director of Wildgoose. Jonny Edser, managing director of Wildgoose. He shares his top tips for cultivating healthy workplace bonds.

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BFFs with your boss: The pros and cons of work friendships

Amid back-to-school season, don't abandon your working parent population

Since the start of the pandemic, millions of working parents have left the workforce, and they have yet to fully rebound from COVID's impact. While schools and child care centers have reopened, parents are still struggling with high levels of burnout, along with dissatisfaction around the support they're receiving from their employers.

"Parents are really in need of help — during the pandemic, they had a lot of tough challenges, but those are still persistent," says Andrew Monroe, director of experienced talent research at Veris Insights, a recruiting analytics platform. Monroe shares the best benefits employers can offer to support their teams — from flexible leave to caregiving stipends.

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Amid back-to-school season, don't abandon your working parent population

PwC is investing $2.4 billion in flexible work and personalized benefits

With approximately two million workers missing from the U.S. labor force and talks of a recession bringing uncertainty to talent acquisition, it's imperative companies build the "right" work culture to retain their best talent. PwC is investing $2.4 billion in a reimagined employee experience called My+, centering flexibility and agency for its workforce.

Associate editor Deanna Cuadra speaks with Kim Jones, U.S. talent strategy and people experience leader at PwC. She shared the elements of the My+ program, which entail full flexibility around virtual, hybrid or in-person work, company-wide shutdowns to encourage PTO, and expanded access to mental health support.

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PwC is investing $2.4 billion in flexible work and personalized benefits