Key Questions
While some businesses see them as essential for collaboration and culture, others risk disengaging their workforce by enforcing rigid policies. At Robertson Cooper, we believe that successful ways of working strategies (remote, office or hybrid) must balance organisational needs with employee wellbeing – because a workforce that feels supported is more engaged, resilient, and productive.
The pandemic accelerated a shift in workplace expectations, with employees experiencing the benefits of flexibility and autonomy. Many have now integrated remote or hybrid work into their daily lives, leading to concerns that strict RTO policies could negatively impact morale, productivity, and mental health.
A blanket RTO mandate may create challenges that affect individual and organisational wellbeing:
Rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all policy, businesses can adopt a wellbeing-led approach, which is linked to higher levels of employee engagement, productivity and organisational performance. Here are key considerations:
At Robertson Cooper, our approach to wellbeing is rooted in the evidenced-based concept of a Good Day at Work. There are four components of a Good Day At Work:
Our research shows that by increasing the average number of Good Days at Work by just one day a week, productivity increases by 9%, job satisfaction increases by 11% and there are 5 fewer days of sickness absence per year.
Employers can benefit from considering how the working environment of their employees, and their approach to ways of working – whether remote, hybrid or office – will contribute to this. For a well-thought-out approach, ask the following questions:
Research has shown that employees who feel supported in their working environment – whether in-office, hybrid, or remote – are more productive and engaged. By adopting an approach led by wellbeing, businesses can create a culture where every employee can have more good days at work for better business outcomes.
If you’re unsure of how to assess how employees are feeling about current ways of working or an RTO transition, speak to us about how we can help through our Good Day At Work solutions. Our analytics and reports help transform raw data into real understanding, enabling you to drive wellbeing strategies that make a difference.
Return-to-office policies should not be about control but about fostering an environment where employees and businesses thrive together. A wellbeing-led approach ensures that any transition – whether to full-time office work, hybrid models, or remote-first strategies – aligns with employee needs and organisational goals. By prioritising wellbeing, businesses can create more good days at work, wherever work happens.
At Robertson Cooper, we help organisations navigate these changes with evidence-based insights and practical solutions. If you’re looking to create a resilient, engaged workforce, let’s talk about how workplace wellbeing can drive your success.
