Attitudes Towards Returning to the Office: Generational Differences
In HRchat episode 451, we consider what organizations need to know to cultivate a workplace that not only retains women employees but empowers their success.
The pandemic now feels endemic and companies want employees back in the office. I’m joined by Caroline Dettman, Founding Partner at Have Her Back, a DEI consultancy listed among Fast Company’s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies for 2022. Caroline says that, when it comes to a preference in returning to the office, opinions seem to be directly tied to age.
Caroline and her team recently conducted a Women in the Workplace study to better understand how companies can improve the retention of female employees, at a time when women are leaving their jobs at historic rates. The study overwhelmingly suggested that Gen Z professionals are seeking the in-person workplace for networking, mentorship, and learning opportunities. Alternatively, Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials seem to be thriving in a remote environment due to their level of experience and other commitments.
Listen as Caroline shares her take on the findings plus she offers ways companies can improve their practices to better support different generations of women in the workplace.
Questions For Caroline Include:
- What are the headlines you can share from the extensive Women in the Workplace study, Have Her Back conducted?
- You note the difference in hybrid vs flexible – some see that as the same, can you explain the difference and why one can be seen as more beneficial than the other?
- The Women in the Workplace study overwhelmingly suggested that Gen Z professionals are seeking the in-person workplace for networking, mentorship, and learning opportunities. Alternatively, Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials seem to be thriving in a remote environment due to their level of experience and other commitments. What do the differences in generational preferences tell us about the new normal when it comes to in-person working?
- But Gen Zers are digital natives so can’t we replace in-person mentorship/learning/networking with online?
- Were these findings surprising to you?
- What do you think are the major things that employers need to keep in mind in this new “return to office” era?