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Many tech companies are going above and beyond to woo their employees back after time away from the workforce. Here’s how they’re doing it.
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The “new normal” of working from home
Even before the pandemic, working from home was becoming more common, with nearly 1 in 5 American employees working remotely at least some of the time. But the pandemic has forced many companies to reevaluate their policies, and now a growing number of tech firms are starting to embrace remote work as the new normal.
The rise of the work-from-home culture
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many companies to adopt work-from-home policies, and it looks like this trend is here to stay. In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 70% of respondents said they would like to continue working from home at least some of the time even after the pandemic ends.
This shift has been especially pronounced in the tech industry where companies have been quick to embrace remote work. Google, for example, has announced that its employees can work from home until 2021, while Twitter has told its staff that they can work remotely forever if they so choose.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled with this new way of working. Some people miss the social interaction that comes with working in an office, while others find it difficult to focus when they’re not in a dedicated workspace. But there’s no denying that work-from-home culture is on the rise, and it’s here to stay.
The challenges of working from home
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced millions of people to work from home, and many tech companies are planning to allow employees to continue doing so even after the pandemic ends.
Working from home has its challenges, though, and some people are struggling to adjust. According to a recent survey by Blind, a workplace chat app, nearly 60% of tech workers say they’re having trouble concentrating while working from home, and more than half say they’re feeling lonely.
There are ways to overcome these challenges, though. Here are some tips for making working from home more productive and less isolating:
-Create a dedicated workspace: If possible, find a room or area of your house that you can use as your office. This will help you to stay focused when you’re working, and it will also help to delineate between work time and personal time.
-Schedule breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, both to stretch your body and to give your mind a rest. Use a timer or an app like RescueTime to remind you when it’s time for a break, and then get up and move around for a few minutes.
-Stay connected: Working from home can be isolating, so make sure to stay connected with your co-workers through video calls or chat apps. And if you need some human interaction, consider working from a coffee shop or co-working space once in awhile.
Tech companies wooing their employees
The benefits of returning to the office
As the pandemic continues and more people are vaccinated, tech companies are starting to woo their employees back to the office with a variety of perks and benefits.
For many employees, working from home has been a mixed blessing. While they appreciate the flexibility and lack of commuting, they miss the social interaction and collaboration that comes from working in an office. In addition, child care and homeschooling responsibilities have made it difficult for some parents to focus on work.
Now that more people are vaccinated, however, many tech companies are starting to offer incentives for employees to return to the office. Google, for example, is offering a $1,000 “re-entry” bonus to U.S. employees who come back to the office for at least three days per week. Facebook is giving its employees a $500 stipend to help cover costs associated with returning to the office, such as child care or transportation. And Twitter is giving its U.S. employees a $1,000 “work-from-home” bonus if they choose not to return to the office.
These incentives are designed to address some of the challenges that employees have faced during the pandemic and make returning to the office more attractive. For example, the stipend from Facebook can be used for child care or transportation costs, which may make it easier for parents to return to work. And Google’s bonus is tied directly to coming into the office at least three days per week, which can help encourage employees to take advantage of the company’s on-site amenities and collaborate with their colleagues in person.
In addition to financial incentives, many tech companies are also offering other perks and benefits to lure employees back into the office. For example, Amazon is offering on-site childcare at its Seattle headquarters, and Facebook is opening up its fitness center and dining facilities exclusively for employees who come into the office at least three days per week. Google is also planning to reopen its on-site amenities, including dry cleaning and laundry services, hair salons, and massage therapy services.
Returning to the office after a year of working from home can be daunting for some people. But with theseperks and benefits from tech companies, more employees may be temptedto make the transition backto working in an office setting again
The challenges of returning to the office
The challenges of returning to the office are manifold. But for many people in the tech industry the prospect of going back to work after months of being at home is especially daunting.
There are the logistical concerns, like child care and transportation. For those who have been working from home, there is the question of how to transition back to a office environment. And then there are the psychological hurdles: the anxiety of being around people again, the fear of getting sick, and the guilt of leaving behind a more flexible work arrangement.
But despite all these challenges, many tech companies are trying to woo their employees back to the office with a variety of perks and amenities. The question is: will it be enough?
At Google, employees who return to the office will be given a $1,000 stipend to help cover costs associated with coming back to work. They will also be given priority access to on-campus child care and parking. And they will be able to take advantage of office amenities like gyms and cafeterias.
Facebook is offering a $3,000 “rejoining bonus” to employees who come back to work full-time. And like Google, it is also giving returning employees priority access to child care and parking. Facebook is also sweetening the pot with additional vacation days and increased mental health benefits.
Apple, meanwhile, is offering a $2,500 “reintegration bonus” for employees who come back to work full-time. It is also giving employees who return 30 additional minutes of paid time off per week, as well as expanded mental health benefits.
These companies are clearly putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to wanting their employees back in the office. But whether or not these incentives will be enough remains to be seen.
The “new normal” of working from home
The rise of the work-from-home culture
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the way we work, with many companies across the globe embracing remote work as the new norm. However, as vaccines roll out and the pandemic begins to ebb, some tech companies are starting to woo their employees back to the office — with perks like free meals, On-Demand fitness classes, and even stipends for new home offices.
While some workers are eager to return to an office environment, others are hesitant to leave the comfort and flexibility of their homes. For many employees, working from home has been a game-changer that has improved their work-life balance and allowed them to focus on their mental and physical health. As the debate over remote work continues, it’s clear that the workplace will never be the same.
The challenges of working from home
The “new normal” of working from home has brought with it a host of challenges, from childcare to isolation. But for tech workers, there are also some unique challenges that come with the territory.
For starters, there’s the issue of distractions. With family members or roommates often just a few feet away, it can be tough to stay focused on work. And then there’s the issue of equipment. Not everyone has a dedicated home office setup, which can make it tough to get work done in a comfortable and efficient way.
That said, there are also some upsides to working from home for tech workers. For one thing, there’s the opportunity to create your own schedule and work environment. And for another, there’s the chance to save on commuting time and costs.
But perhaps the biggest upside is the chance to spend more time with family and friends. With many tech workers putting in long hours at the office, the opportunity to see loved ones more often is a big perk of working from home.
