How to proceed with return-to-work planning amid the latest pandemic surge

ADP Research Institute offers some recommendations for employers planning work arrangements for their employees in coming months.

Recent college graduates are more likely than other groups to get lost in the shuffle of returning to an environment of more spontaneous communication onsite.

Many companies had planned to transition employees back to the office or hybrid work arrangements this fall. However, recent spikes in COVID-19 and lagging vaccination rates in some areas have raised concerns about how to proceed.

The ADP Research Institute recently took the pulse of more than 9,000 employees, both those who worked remotely and onsite during the pandemic.

Related: Companies rethinking return-to-office plans amid delta variant surge

“The survey results reveal that on the whole, employees working onsite enjoy crucial advantages over their remote counterparts, particularly in terms of perceived amount of social interaction, work boundaries and career opportunities,” according to the survey report. “This is true regardless of whether employees are in sectors that are conducive to remote working or those who typically require in-person or onsite work.”

The findings from the perspective of employees indicate that employers should keep the following recommendations in mind when determining work arrangements for their employees in coming months:

Social connection, promotion opportunities and work/life boundaries are the most cited benefits of onsite work and should be critical areas of investigation.

Provide additional support and flexibility in areas where employees may need help acclimating to the change from remote to onsite work.

Certain groups may require special attention from employers in the transition from remote to onsite work.

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