After going through a global pandemic you would think, and hope, that lessons have been learnt. That going through a once in a generation, global experience like this, as challenging as it has been, can help us to focus on what really matters in life and at work. Unfortunately for some companies it seems this is not the case.
You might have seen over the last few weeks that a number of organisations are offering various perks to entice their people back into the office. Knight Frank have gone for the offer of rooftop bbqs, which is a pretty risky move given the British weather. Media company VCCP has decided the way to their employees’ hearts is via a free breakfast… BUT only for a fortnight… Goldman Sachs are also going down the ever popular free breakfast route, and they have also thrown in some complimentary lunches in their roof garden.
Early figures indicate big jumps in bus, tube and train passengers as employees go back to pre-pandemic life. But I would put money on the fact that very few, if any, of those making the commute back to a physical place of work are doing it for free breakfasts, bbqs, or to spent time in any kind of rooftop garden or terrace. I had hoped for better from these firms.
In all my years of working in the field of employee experience and engagement, I have never, ever heard anyone talk about these types of perks as meaningful or important. It is early days, but so far, I haven’t heard anyone say ‘I can’t wait to get back to the office for the free food, or the amazing roof terrace’. What I have heard people talk about is the need for connection, to be with other people, and to mix up their week a bit. And the problem with freebies like free food, beers, coffees etc, is the speed at which a nice gesture becomes a hygiene factor. That is perks that are simply expected, and taken for granted. So initially, while we might be impressed by a free croissant, all too soon this stuff becomes the norm, we expect it, and if you take it away, we’ll be less than happy!
I have shared the story many times about when I worked with a client who was going through the process of moving 2000 employees from a rather outdated office into a lovely, shiny new office. They came up with what they thought was a brilliant idea – to give all employees a free breakfast. They argued a free breakfast was good way to engage their workforce and help create a great place to work, and despite my best efforts I couldn’t convince them otherwise. So what happened? Initially the free breakfast went down a treat, lots of smiley faces in the morning queuing up for free toast or cereals… But pretty soon there were rumblings. Some people didn’t like cereals or toast and wanted porridge or a pastry, but these items weren’t on the free breakfast list. Other people started to abuse the company’s generosity, taking 3 or 4 boxes of the free cereal to see them through to lunchtime and beyond…
The rumblings grew into discontent. The company actually had to publish and enforce a “free breakfast policy” – and it wasn’t long before they were wishing they had not gone down the free breakfast route given the trouble it had caused.
So, if you want to encourage your people to spend at least some of their time in a physical workplace with their colleagues, just ask them what would make it a worthwhile for them? What would a great day look like? How you can help them to ease back into a different way of working? I guarantee the answers will not involve free coffee, free food or the like.
If you would like some help figuring out to make your hybrid working experience the best it can be why don’t you sign up to our upcoming workshop ‘Hybrid by design’? on Tuesday 28th September.
