More and more companies are asking their employees to return to the office, even Zoom, the video conferencing company that enabled everyone to work from home during the pandemic. In Hong Kong, as soon as the fifth wave ended, employers in Hong Kong had already called their employees back to the office.
Global office design consultancy Unispace finds that 60% of Hong Kong employees don’t want to return to their desks, with 63% of them currently coming into the office 4 or more days per week. These are the findings of Returning for Good, a Unispace Global Workplace Insights report conducted in April 2023.
Wellness in office matters, and that’s why more than half of the Hong Kong workers surveyed are reluctant to head back to the office. But as COVID-19 slowly recedes and things gradually return to normal, are there any ways to improve workplace wellbeing, enhance work culture and keep your employees happy?
Can hybrid working be the new normal?
Return-to-office policies can go hand in hand with blended working models. We previously touched on various potential hybrid working options, with some remote work being one. As of now, in Hong Kong, many multinational corporations still allow employees to work at least one to two days from home.
While return-to-office mandates see higher levels of employee attribution, better communication and collaboration, flexible working arrangements can help employees reduce stress, avoid burnout and focus on workplace wellbeing. This can be a win-win situation for both employers and employees.
According to recruitment agency Randstad, 2 in 5 Gen Z workers in Hong Kong have previously left their job because of inflexibility. 1 in 3 of the respondents surveyed would reject a job if it didn’t provide flexibility. As we navigate to the new normal, wellness in office should now be on every company’s agenda.
Is a four-day work week the way forward?
Earlier last summer, property development conglomerate New World Group piloted a four and a half day work week. The Summer Fridays programme was one of the Group’s workplace wellbeing initiatives. The Construction Industry Council also announced an alternate four-day work week for its employees.
Alternatively, if it wasn’t for a four-day work week, companies like herbal tea shop chain Hung Fook Tong Group trialled a family-friendly workspace with childcare services and parent-child activities, as well as ‘Pet Fun Days’.
Is a four-day work week a viable option? Of course, this has proven to be difficult, with only around 70 companies signing up for a four-day week in the UK last summer. Yet committing to workplace wellbeing initiatives like these is a great way to set your company apart and build your employee value proposition.
Employee wellness programmes and work-life balance initiatives
Last but not least, if you are committed to employee wellbeing and a more positive work culture, but aren’t ready to launch the measures we suggested just yet, we would also recommend employee wellness programmes and work-life balance initiatives that are now gaining ground among corporates.
Consider an Employee Assistance Programme that offers consultation and counselling to employees experiencing mental or emotional distress, especially when COVID-19 triggered a 25% increase in the global prevalence of depression and anxiety. Only with good mental health can employees do their best work.
Establish a wellness committee to define clear goals and develop best practices. Whether it be yoga classes or half-day hikes, set aside time for activities dedicated to helping your employees live healthier to work at their best.
Why WeWork Hong Kong?
Our coworking spaces and private offices are designed to foster connections and bolster productivity. In addition to amenities such as wellness and game rooms, outdoor decks, and sky gardens, which provide a refreshing change of environment conducive to both work and leisure, various WeWork Hong Kong locations also offer wellness classes.
With six modern, flexible workspaces across Hong Kong’s core business districts, including prominent locations like YF Life Tower in Wan Chai and 14 Taikoo Wan Road in Quarry Bay, we can meet your different office needs. Contact us today to find out more.