The rise of a hybrid work setup is somehow coming to an end. More and more businesses are recalling their employees to go back to what we call “traditional work setup”. Regardless of the resistance of some employees to having a permanent hybrid work setup, you can’t blame them for disagreeing when it comes to having a permanent in-office work setup.
However, a healthy workplace is not just about working in an office. It’s about a company’s support to their workforce in having an ideal working environment whether or not it’s at home or in the office.
An Ideal Workplace
An article from Michigan State University concluded that a work environment can have positive and negative effects on the well-being of employees. A healthy work environment is one where there is trust, cooperation, safety, risk-taking support, accountability, and equity.
When asked about what is an ideal workplace, an anonymous CEO and Co-Founder of BPO company answered, “An ideal workplace is not about the physical workspace, it’s about a company’s commitment to its employees. The value of a company does not come from profit but in the ability of its people to achieve. That creates value, which a company owes to its people.”
An ideal workplace is often defined into many different interpretations, but at the end of the day, people have different beliefs and backgrounds which affects their view on what should be an ideal workplace. It’s difficult for any business to adjust its culture to meet everyone’s needs.
Danger Of A Utopian Idea
As mentioned previously, with different cultures and beliefs, especially in a diverse work environment, not everyone will agree or get along. It’s important to remember the phrase “one size does not fit all”. A utopian idea of how a workplace should be will result as a dystopian reality. Forcing everyone to adhere is simply not feasible, due to the fact that not everyone’s the same. In reality, conflicts and friction between people are bound to happen, and it’s the responsibility of the company to ensure it’s kept to a minimum.
A Pragmatic Approach
In a work setting, some people are comfortable working in a fun and collaborative space, while others prefer working alone in a quiet area where they can focus. A healthy workspace depends on the preference of each employee. Instead of pushing for a utopian idea of how a workplace should be, a pragmatic approach should be considered.
Pragmatism, by definition, is a way of dealing with problems or situations that focuses on practical approaches or solutions. Using a pragmatic approach when dealing with employee preference in the workplace could satisfy their needs. Which in turn could improve productivity, employee retention and reduce the rate of attrition.
Benefits Of A Healthy Workplace
A healthy workplace isn’t just a benefit for the employees, it’s also good for business. Regardless if your employees are in-office or out, having them satisfied and happy will affect how they do their work. A motivated employee will boost productivity and improve customer service and satisfaction. Importantly, a company may save on the cost of hiring by retaining experienced employees.
The Bottom Line
All that said, achieving the ideal workplace for your employees through a pragmatic approach is the best solution. Instead of choosing generic and imaginary solutions for a work environment, hearing feedback from your employees about how they can become comfortable with their workplace is the best way to solve workplace problems. At the end of the day, the benefit of having a workplace with satisfied employees is a good thing to your business.