Welcome to Ask an Adviser, EBN’s weekly column in which benefit brokers and advisers answer (anonymous) queries sent in by our readers. Looking for some expert advice? Please submit questions to
The conversation regarding the return to physical offices managed to generate a number of contrasting responses. Most employers remained set on eventually bringing staff back to the office — at least several days a week. On the other hand, while some employees look forward to regaining pre-pandemic work-life balance and
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Companies need to rethink how they use their workspace and adapt the layout or even the office model itself. We strongly believe that offices should facilitate flexibility and meet clients’ needs. Two solutions that proved helpful are hub-and-spoke and de-densified offices.
The hub-and-spoke model involves a main, city-center-based workspace for larger company meetings. The spokes take the form of smaller satellite offices, closer to employee living clusters.
The de-densified office model allows companies to implement social-distance restrictions, exchanging delegated workstations for “hot-desks” located within a work area that employees can book as needed on days they will be in the office.
Instead of gathering everyone in crowded conference rooms, larger company meetings can be facilitated in hybrid mode. Several employees can attend from smaller meeting rooms, while some join online from their desks within the office. Others still can connect entirely remotely.
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Though the number of vaccinated adults in the U.S. is still rising, the dread of returning to crammed public transport remains. This is especially true in the case of employees with underlying health issues, children, or elderly family members for whom returning to a daily commute is hard to accept. Employers can provide staff with additional parking spots to encourage the use of their own cars or distribute vouchers for mobility providers such as Uber, Bolt, or traditional taxis. Protective barriers, mandatory mask-wearing and reduced exposure to crowds make it a safer environment for daily travel than the metro, buses, or trams.
The most fundamental element and a common denominator of all solutions mentioned above is dialogue. Clear, regular and constructive communication in the company prevents anxiety and unnecessary confusion, promoting a culture of trust and support. Emotional and mental wellbeing is just as important in facilitating a safe return to the office.
