Turns out, 'mandatory fun' activities aren't popular among staff
Employers across the world have been launching various strategies to get their employees to come back to offices - from free lunch, to concerts, and other initiatives. But a new study has found that it may not be want employees really want.
A recent survey among 4,000 white-collared workers by Framery revealed that it seems like employees want to continue at the workplace the activities and perks they enjoyed at home.
This includes focusing on their fitness, as the report found that 46% of workers want yoga studios and office gyms. They also want to retain the peace of their remote workplaces, with 44% saying they want access to a designated quiet space.
Samu Hällfors, Framery's founder and chief executive officer, said it's clear that employees want their "tangible benefits" from remote work extended in the workplace.
"Working from home made it possible for people to exercise more regularly and to do more quality work without the constant interruptions of the open office," said Hällfors in a statement. "These are tangible benefits that made employees happier and more productive – and it's clear that they don't want to give them up as they return to the office."
Read more: Return to work: What employees expect from HR
On the other hand, well-known perks to bring back employees such as communal games were unpopular among employees, as 35% of them saying these are their least wanted office perk.
"The findings should put a final nail in the coffin of the ping pong tables, beer kegs, scooters, and other artifacts of 'mandatory fun' office culture," said Hällfors.
The report also showed how remote arrangements significantly changed how employees want to work - with 41% admitting that their ability to concentrate in an open-floor plan office worsened after the pandemic.
About 44% of workers are also dreading commute when asked to return to work, while other employees said they do not look forward to dress codes and communal bathrooms.
"Employers are navigating complex challenges to lure their employees back into the office but have little research or the strategy of what will work. We hope these survey results will shed some light on what employees want most when they return," said Hällfors.
