DETROIT (WWJ) - Four years since remote work became commonplace during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more employees are now being required to head into the office -- and they're not happy about it.
Robert Half senior vice president Jeff Sokolowski spoke with WWJ's Beth Fisher, stating companies are still struggling to help employees transition from a work-at-home model to coming back into the building where they feel in-person collaboration works best.
Among the biggest reasons employees are pushing back against coming into the building? Their commute.
"We did some polling and surveying on how that affects the workforce and 32% expressed concerns with their daily commute," Sokolowski explained. "The cost, the added expense to that layered in with the pandemic transforming how work could be done, the perception of work, and then 33% express that their commute is contributing towards burnout. So employers want people back in short, but the workforce is like, 'hey, are there other ways to do it?'"
Employers are trying to ease the blow with solutions such as covering toll costs or, Sokolowski added, as in the City of Detroit, Royal Oak and Ferndale, help with parking costs associated with coming to work.
On extreme weather days in Michigan, Sokoloski said companies are compromising by having employees start work remotely until roads clear and head in when its safer.
According to Sokolowski, more companies are currently working in a hybrid model where some hours are worked at home and with core hours in the office.
These hybrid models are flexible and tend to work well for families where both parents work, Sokolowski added.
"There's an opportunity for somebody to start early, so they can start their day while the other parent does daycare drop-off where appropriate and then the other parent flips on the other side, leaves the office a little bit earlier, picks up their child and then logs back in and finishes up whatever work provided that the work is getting done," he explained. "Then we're seeing success that way."
More companies are also beginning to look into peak hours, as in what times of the day where having everyone in the office is beneficial or when employees are fully invested and less distracted while working remotely.
According to Sokolowski, employees and workers need to explore reasons for "in office with a purpose" solutions that work for everyone.
To listen to the full interview, click below: