The Usual Place Podcast
WFH vs WFO: Why are more companies making employees return to office?
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If return-to-office mandates will be enforced, how should the workplace change to accommodate different work styles?
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Hybrid work arrangements were once widely seen as the future of work, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic upended the daily grind we were used to.
Now, some businesses and employers appear to be changing course.
Last week, the National University of Singapore raised eyebrows when it was reported that all full-time staff were required to work from the office five days a week, starting Oct 1.
The move follows similar return-to-office mandates by big companies, both in Singapore and abroad, including Grab and Amazon.
The discussion over where work should happen has been going on since the pandemic.
However, if staff are pushing back on a full return, why do some employers still insist on moving ahead with these mandates? If returning to the office becomes a requirement, how should the workplace accommodate different work styles?
In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with:
Ives Tay, a learning and development consultant who has experience with adult education, training quality assurance and workforce development, and
Nicole Chua, director in workplace consulting and People Strategy Lead in Asia-Pacific for global real estate services company JLL
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:34 Why do employers insist on RTO?
5:29 Not a set back from what we learnt during the pandemic
7:50 We can be productive in the office - and at home
10:05 WFH allows workers to break their day into focused blocks
12:44 “Why are you calling me back to the office?”
14:45 Have the courage to speak with managers about policies
16:30 Is cultivating workplace culture necessary?
19:00 Are some ruining WFH for the rest?
20:38 Employees should be transparent about their movements
23:50 Government should address tensions over flexible work arrangements
26:20 Flexi-work can be used as leverage to attract talent
27:33 Are companies breeding unhappy employees?
30:24 Ensuring the WFH benefits remain
32:46 Is WFH short-changing fresh graduates?
34:15 Quality mentoring and coaching is needed
36:20 Consequences for employers enforcing RTO measures
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Filmed by: Studio+65
Edited by: Eden Soh and Chen Junyi
Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis
Editorial producer: Lynda Hong
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