NORC at the University of Chicago, a nonpartisan research organization, found that 75% of human resources representatives describe retention of employees who don’t want to work in the office as a problem, with 20% saying it is major concern.
“COVID-19 changed many people’s perceptions of when and where they can most effectively and efficiently accomplish their jobs,” says Marjorie Connelly, senior fellow with NORC’s Public Affairs & Media Research department. “While most employees say they are required to work in person, many of those who work remotely at least some of the time say there is no reason they need to be in the office. The survey of HR representatives indicates that companies need to determine priorities about whether and when to work in offices and explain these decisions to retain their workforce.”
The top incentive to stay with a company for employees who currently work in the office is more pay, while food and amenities, commuter benefits and greater access to the company’s leadership were also cited as ways to keep them happy. These incentives also resonate with hybrid employees for what would encourage them to come to the office.
“While amenities like food and snacks and additional benefits like commuter assistance would help, most in-person and hybrid employees really want to be compensated for coming into the workplace,” NORC notes. “However, according to HR representatives, very few employers have introduced incentives to encourage employees to return to the office. Commuter benefits and paying workers to come back to the office are rare.”