Hargreaves Lansdown recently announced that staff will be required back in the office three days a week from next year. It is the latest major company to reinstate mandatory office attendance, following in the footsteps of the likes of TSB and JPMorgan Chase.

A drive to rebuild collaboration, improve workplace culture and encourage productivity are among some of the main reasons that staff are being asked to return to the office.

As the topic of office attendance climbs the agenda once again, should businesses be considering how to make office life more appealing?

Shane Duffy, Managing Director at Click Offices, says:

“Getting people back into the office post-Covid has been difficult, and people are increasingly looking for flexible working opportunities that allow them to have a better work life balance. Rather than simply introducing mandatory office days, companies should consider how they can make coming into the office more of a worthwhile affair.

“It’s all well and good providing varied work environments and top of the range serviced offices, the truth is that employees want more than just coffee making facilities and a free bar on a Friday.

“It’s important that people are able to experience being part of a team, and providing an environment where workers can collaborate and socialise with their peers is important.”

Below, Shane shares 5 tips for making office days more meaningful to encourage better collaboration and productivity.

Office days must feel purposeful

“Asking staff to come back to the office without a clear purpose is likely to lead to some confusion and resentment. A return to office plan is much more likely to work when people understand the motivation behind it.

“This could be to encourage collaboration with peers, training opportunities, team building days or a more united approach to client work.”

It’s more than just a desk

“When workers see the office as just another desk, it’s easy to understand why they may not want to attend very often. The space needs to support the kind of work that people are commuting for, this could be in-person meetings, team sessions or informal project collaboration.”

Avoid taking a one-size-fits-all approach

“Business leaders should recognise that employees use the office in different ways, so a uniform approach is unlikely to work for everyone. Some team members may need collaborative space where they can work with their colleagues, while others will need quiet areas, meeting rooms or more local workspace options.

“Rather than simply looking to increase attendance, try to focus on making office time useful and considered.”

Build in flexibility

“We need to remember that flexibility is not the opposite of being in the office, and the businesses that get this right will be the ones that use office space more intentionally. Teams should have access to a professional space when they need it, but this doesn’t always mean locking the business into office commitments.

“Consider how your team members actually work, and what they need from the office. The best workplaces allow people to adapt working patterns around real life.”

Consider the needs of younger workers

“The office has a really important role to play for younger workers, particularly from a learning and development perspective. There is a lot to be said for the informal mentoring experience you can get from working alongside colleagues, especially those who have been there much longer.

“Being in the office allows younger staff members to ask more questions, join in conversations and access support when they need it. This is something that can’t be replicated when sitting at a desk at home.”