Employers face juggling act with return-to-work plans: ‘People don’t like change’

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and case numbers ease, some companies want workers back in the office five days a week, while others are exploring different options.

Ian McGrath has made it clear to his bosses: If the company forces staff to return to the office, he’ll tender his resignation.

The Halifax-area tech worker says he’s thriving working from home. His productivity has soared, his last annual review exceeded expectations and he’s now one of the company’s top performers.

“I’ve also achieved a much better work-life balance,” McGrath said. “I’m healthier, happier and more productive.”

Businesses are issuing return-to-office plans across the country, calling white-collar workers back to their cubicles after two years of working from home.

As pandemic restrictions are lifted and case numbers ease, some companies want workers back in the office five days a week. On the other side of the spectrum, others are vacating pricey leases in prime downtown areas and asking employees to work remotely for good.

Many others are adopting a hybrid model, varying from a flexible come-when-you-want approach to mandating specific days workers must report to the office for duty.

Yet after more than two years of Zoom calls and Slack chats from home, wearing comfy “soft” pants and having more time for kids or exercise or reading, employees may be resistant to returning to the office.

“Some employers just want to flip a switch and turn back time to how things were,” said Catherine Connelly, human resources and management professor at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business.