In a ground breaking, decades long longitudinal study covering 314,159 participants, organizational psychologists have concluded that individuals in the workplace have unique needs and motivations. They were also able to conclude that different types of work have different requirements*.
What to do with this previously unknown information? Perhaps reconsider a blanket, one size fits all return to work policy. Although it is more work (pun intended), companies should consider implementing a more nuanced policy that can be tailored to the needs of individual employees and their positions.
People aren’t the same and jobs aren’t the same – so why make everyone work the same way?
Note: I am surprised at the number of times the “productivity” argument is used to justify ordering employees back to the workplace. Leaving aside the challenge of measuring this (a huge obstacle), it seems to rest on a belief that employees won’t work as hard as when they are under the steely gaze of their manager. And yes, examples of this behaviour do exist. But does it make sense to lower the effectiveness and engagement of all your employees to combat what is often, at best, a minor issue?
*There is no such study. The Business Unicorn is using cheap rhetorical theatrics, in the form of sarcasm, to make a point.
Insightful and witty. Looking forward to your next post.