Hybrid Work: How to Attract Your Employees Back to the Office on a Friday

A few years ago, the office on a Friday was a place that buzzed with energy, as employees prepared to switch off their tech and head out into the weekend.

Then Covid-19 hit and the majority of office workers remained at home for two years (or more) to curb the spread of the virus.

But ever since restrictions eased, people with office-based jobs have been trickling back into the office environment, predominantly on a hybrid work basis.

Data from the analytics from Gallup found that in February 2022, 42% of remote-capable employees hybrid worked, with 90% of these employees preferring a type of remote-work arrangement in the future. Hybrid work is here to stay.

“When asked where they plan to work long term -- according to the plans their employer communicated -- remote-capable employees confirmed that a hybrid work schedule will be the predominant office arrangement going forward.” - Gallup

Why are companies adopting the hybrid work model?

With hybrid all the rage, it can be easy to take it for granted without recognising the tangible benefits of the model. Here are some of the key reasons organisations across a variety of industries are splitting their time between home and the office.

1. Collaboration and innovation

Many believe that we collaborate more effectively in person; creativity can flow more organically and the workspace environment is set up to facilitate innovation.

You could argue that the face-to-face meetings that lead to those big lightbulb moments are just harder to achieve on-screen. Being in the same space as others also helps build a sense of community and that all-important ‘buzz’.

2. Company culture

Employee engagement and company culture can sometimes suffer in a remote context because social interactions often don’t hold as much weight online.

Being in the office on even a part-time basis enables companies to reinforce - and demonstrate - their culture and organisational values, which can be particularly beneficial for new employees who are in the process of finding their way.

3. Productivity and performance

While remote work provides some employees with more flexibility in their personal lives, a hybrid approach can provide the level of routine and structure that many of us crave.

It can also be easier for managers to support and guide staff in a face-to-face context, even if their team is in the office for just one day a week.

Hybrid work can also boost productivity. According to Microsoft's 2021 Work Trend Index, despite the shift to hybrid work, employees adapted well to the flexibility of hybrid work, and productivity remained strong or even improved.

4. Employee preference

Many employees love the flexibility that a hybrid arrangement offers, which allows them to reap the benefits of remote work (such as saving time and money on the commute) while retaining a space in which to focus and interact with colleagues.

According to 2022 McKinsey & Company data, 58% of US workers had the opportunity to work from home at least one day a week, and a significant number of them prefer to do so.

What’s more, in 2022 Slack Future Forum reported that 72% of workers who were dissatisfied with their current level of flexibility at work said they’d be likely to look for a new job in the next year.

5. Logistics

For some businesses, adopting a hybrid approach enables them to utilise their existing infrastructure - especially if they are leasing an office for many years.

Of course, those of us working in the flexible workspace industry know that coworking spaces can facilitate any number of hybrid work setups; and we can support organisations who need to upsize or downsize at short notice.

6. Attracting and retaining employees

Hybrid work models help organisations cater to the needs of a wider range of individuals, which can have a huge impact on the recruitment and retention of talent.

Some companies can be flexible to the extent that employees can choose whether they are fully remote, hybrid, or in the office full-time. For many, including those who don’t have the space or amenities at home to engage in work productively, having a coworking space to work in is a huge incentive.

7. Business Resilience

Of course, if businesses have learned anything it’s that flexible work models and solutions can enable us to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, whether it’s a public health crisis, a natural disaster, or something else entirely.

In other words, blending in-office and remote work can help ensure continuity in different scenarios.

Strategies for attracting members to the office on a Friday

As a coworking operator or workspace manager, you’re perfectly placed to help organisations get people back into the office on a Friday - or whichever is their preferred day(s). Feel free to share these insights with your members; you could also adapt or link to this content in your own newsletter or social media!

1. Create a sociable atmosphere

Many of us enjoy coming into the office one, two or three days a week to socialise with colleagues. Make it easier for members to interact on a Friday by hosting a happy hour at the end of the day with free drinks and snacks. These could also be themed throughout the year in conjunction with key festivals or celebrations.

2. Offer incentives and perks

Perks go a long way in encouraging people to travel to the office. As a coworking operator or office manager, you could provide complimentary lunches on Fridays as a treat for those who make it in at the end of the week. You could also arrange wellbeing initiatives, such as lunchtime yoga or a running group in a green space.

3. Optimise the office

Take a look around - is your workspace enticing or could it do with a revamp? Fit out your workspace with comfort and amenities in mind. Balance quiet, productive zones with collaborative and activity spaces that are designed to get employees to unwind.

4. Reserve certain tasks for the office

Managers in organisations may want to schedule certain meetings or events on the ‘office day’. Prioritising collaborative tasks can help people optimise their time spent in the workplace and make it worth their while from a professional perspective.

Celebrating key achievements and milestones in the office on a Friday can also encourage people to come in, however, it’s important to include those working from home too.

5. Talk about it

Promote what happens in the office in your internal communication channels and social media so that employees know what goes on in the office. As an organisation, it’s really up to you to make the case for coming in on a Friday.

What are the benefits? Equally, it’s important to make people feel included even if they choose to remain working at home on a Friday (if that’s a viable option).

6. Lead by example

Naturally, leaders need to lead by example. Employees must see that leadership is working in the office on Friday and practising what they preach! Even if it’s not every Friday, doing so will help to set the precedent for everybody else in the company.

7. Ask for employee and member feedback

As always, conduct surveys to gain first-hand insights from stakeholders into how they feel about office working on a Friday, and what could motivate them to do so.

As a coworking operator, think about what you want to learn from the survey and how you’ll act on the findings. What will encourage members to book hotdesks on a Friday and utilise your resources more? Discounts? Perks, perhaps?