Staffing, Recruiting, Culture Firm Identifies Plans, Challenges Companies Face in Returning Employees Back to Office
CHICAGO – LaSalle Network, a national staffing, recruiting and culture firm, publishes its latest “Office Re-Entry Index” that includes data from 350 CEOs, COO and Human Resources and Finance leaders on sentiments and plans for returning to the office.
The findings include:
Phasing Employees Back into Office:
Majority of respondents stated plans to have employees back in the office by fall 2021 with majority (70 percent) stating they plan to phase employees back in.
Split Workforce:
When asked how they believe their workforces will be modeled 12 months from now with the information currently available, majority (77 percent) stated it will be a hybrid model with a portion working in-office and a portion working from home.
Mandating Vaccination:
Majority (52 percent) stated they do not plan on mandating employees to get vaccinated, and 39 percent of respondents stated they are still undecided on whether they will require employees to get vaccinated before returning to the office.
Majority (66 percent) of respondents stated their companies have not yet communicated plans with employees, whether they are/are not mandating or are still unsure.
Of the companies that have chosen to require vaccination, majority (84 percent) stated that when it was communicated with employees, there was no resistance and employees agreed with leadership.
Re-Entry Obstacles:
Of the companies that have already began office re-entry, when asked what the top obstacle has been, majority of respondents stated managing employees’ fears surrounding commuting to work.
Of the companies that have not yet began office re-entry, when asked what they believe the top obstacle will be, majority too stated managing employees’ fears surrounding commuting to work. Among the top three concerns was cultural re-onboarding of staff. For instance, helping employees reacclimate to the office environment to facilitate collaboration, communication and relationships.
Of companies that have not yet began office re-entry, 34 percent stated they foresee conflicts to arise between executives and staff over return-to-work policies. The top listed conflict they foresee is employees wanting to continue working remotely.
“Nothing should be a surprise to employees,” said Tom Gimbel, Founder and CEO of LaSalle Network. “Communication from leadership on any and all re-entry status updates should be communicated to staff regularly, even if the update is there are no updates. Employees want transparency now more than ever because it is directly tied to their health, safety and mental wellbeing. With frequent communication and updates, it helps lower anxiety levels and gives employees ample time to ask questions and mentally prepare. Employees need time to reacclimate, regardless of how long they’ve been with the organization. Good communication between employees and leaders will be key to smoothly returning to the office.”
To download the full Office Re-Entry Index, click here. For further resources on managing employees virtually, click here. For more information on LaSalle Network, contact Heather Youkhana at 312-496-6562 or hyoukhana@lasallenetwork.com.
###
About LaSalle Network
LaSalle Network is a national staffing, recruiting and culture firm with business units that specialize in accounting and finance, administrative, call center, healthcare revenue cycle, human resources, management resources, marketing, sales, supply chain, technology and executive search. Since inception in 1998, LaSalle has worked with thousands of clients and placed more than 74,000 candidates in temporary, temporary-to-permanent and permanent positions. LaSalle Network has been listed on Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 “Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies in America” list for 12 years, Inc. Magazine’s 2016 and 2018 “50 Best Workplaces,” Forbes’ 2018 and 2019 “America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms” list, Fortune’s “Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For” and “Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services” for four years, and Crain’s Chicago Business’ “Best Places to Work” list for seven years. The firm has offices in downtown Chicago, Oak Brook and Schaumburg. For more information, please call 312-419-1700 or visit www.lasallenetwork.com.
