What implications will a return-to-office have for your workforce?

Fewer than half (44%) of employers in Ireland now offer their staff the option of hybrid working, a dramatic drop from 69% the year prior. The U-turn on hybrid working looks set to intensify further, with almost four in 10 (38%) employers expecting their requirement for office attendance to increase in the year ahead.

But, before enforcing strict return-to-office (RTO) rules, you should consider the potential repercussions. Will heading back into the office improve company culture and productivity, or will it just leave your employees feeling disgruntled by costly and time-consuming commutes?

At a glance: potential challenges of return-to-office mandates

• Expensive commutes may not be financially viable for some workers
• Commuting more frequently could mean people have less spare time for other activities that are important for their wellbeing
• A greater number of professionals said they work more productively at home than in the workplace
• 46% of employees wouldn’t consider accepting a role in future that didn’t offer hybrid working

Additional commutes could strain workers’ wallets – and their time 

As the nation bears the strain of the rising cost-of-living, the added financial commitment of commuting five days per week may not be feasible for some. Those working in Dublin face the second highest public transport costs of any city in Europe – something that hybrid working has gone a long way to alleviate. Across the whole of Ireland, those who drive for their commute travel an average of 16.8 kilometres to get to their workplace. More days in the office will mean some workers could incur significant additional costs, especially since fuel prices have risen 5% over the past 12 months.

Aside from the financial implications, commuting every day could also mean people have less spare time for other activities: quality time with family, chores, or even additional work. This time can quickly add up, with professionals in Ireland spending an average of 29.1 minutes commuting to work – that’s almost five hours per week for someone working fully in an on-site environment. 

A return-to-office may hinder productivity 

A greater number of professionals said they work more productively at home than in the workplace. 43% of employees say they’re most productive at home, whereas 41% believe they work better in the office or workplace. However, depending on how professionals are currently working heavily influences their answer. Over three-quarters (77%) of remote workers say they’re more productive at home, compared to just over half (55%) of hybrid workers and one-in-five (20%) who are based fully on-site. 59% of employees working full-time in the workplace say they’re more productive in the office, compared to 32% of hybrid workers and 16% of fully remote workers. 

So, if improving productivity is a key factor in your decision to roll out a return-to-office, you should first consider that it may have the opposite effect for some of your workers and instead see if you can find a balanced solution that suits everyone.

You could risk losing valuable staff

Attracting and retaining employees remains a key focus for the majority hiring managers. Over half (53%) anticipate that recruiting the right talent will be the top external factor that will cause challenges in the year ahead, while almost two-thirds (62%) expect staff retention will be the biggest internal culprit, according to our 2024 Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide. 

The overwhelming majority (94%) of employers have experienced skills shortages over the past 12 months. With almost half (46%) of professionals saying they wouldn’t even consider accepting a role in future that didn’t offer hybrid working, it seems inflexible employers could be limiting themselves to just over half of their would-be potential candidates, further exasperating the challenges they’re already facing. There’s also the risk that some employees may be tempted to leave their current organisation in favour of somewhere with more flexible working options. 

So, before enforcing a strict back-to-office mandate, make sure you’re first considering if the benefits will truly outweigh the potential risks. Perhaps a more flexible approach would be more beneficial to both employers and employees alike? 

To discover the latest insights into the trends shaping the world of work, including flexible working practices, take a look at our Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide.