HBR IdeaCast The Best Return-to-Office Policies Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
10 snips
Jan 2, 2024 
Kimberly Shells, a senior director at Gartner specializing in HR practices, discusses the pitfalls of rigid return-to-office policies. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and employee autonomy, revealing research on worker preferences for autonomy and belonging. Shells advocates for personalized strategies that include offsite team-building and support services like on-site childcare to enhance workplace culture. She believes that tailored approaches can boost productivity and collaboration, making work environments more inclusive and engaging.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Balancing In-Office and Flexibility
- Many leaders struggle to balance the desire for in-office work with employees' desire for flexibility.
- The podcast guest suggests this doesn't have to be an either-or situation.
Focus on Employee Choice
- Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to return-to-office policies.
- Instead, prioritize employee autonomy and build a workplace people want to be in.
Return-to-Office Mandates
- While some productivity issues exist, research doesn't indicate a widespread problem requiring a full return to the office.
- Many return-to-office mandates are driven by leadership preference, not data.