Is On-Site Work Returning to Greenville?
Remote work has become the standard practice for the last two years. But as the world returns to more normal activities, employers are also asking the workforce to return to normal.
As employment experts who have their fingers on the pulse, Perceptive Recruiting has seen Greenville companies refocusing on the benefits of bringing teams back on-site. It can be a full week in the office, a hybrid schedule, or an occasional collaboration meeting for important projects. Perceptive Recruiting has also seen the resistance in the workforce to anything but fully remote work options. Here is why we think a hybrid remote/on-site model is becoming more common.
We’re Seeing Another Trend Added to the Books
The 2022 work culture has transitioned towards truly effective collaboration. Businesses developed revolutionary methods of maintaining communication over the last two years, but now organizations are working towards finding the “best of the best” methods, not just the best for a pandemic scenario. Employers want a compromise of face-to-face interaction back on their teams. This is also becoming increasingly important because many companies are building technology and IT teams. To do so successfully, building rapport and being able to sit down for a brainstorming or joint work session is increasingly more necessary.
We have also seen many IT leaders more willing to take a risk on junior to mid-level professionals that they can train and invest in to create a lasting workforce. When it comes to sharpening highly technical skills and creating a long-term team environment, being on-site to work with senior team members gives an advantage. Working remote, communicating through applications or a cell phone, doesn’t foster the same sense of community or buy-in that existed several years ago. This has led to much quicker turnover in the workforce, preventing teams from establishing important professional relationships and establishing an effective rhythm.
There is Good Reason for the Adjustment
The Perceptive Recruiting team speaks with high-level technical professionals every day, and through our close relationships with our clients we have heard many stories around remote employees and what has become problematic. Some candidates have mentioned in interviews the laundry list of personal tasks or responsibilities they have and claim it’s the reason for remote work. Others have decided to “moonlight” by working two remote full-time jobs at the same time, juggling meetings and workloads that result in less hours given to the business than full time. These actions have made employers wary of hiring fully remote employees and their potential lack of productivity. The new hiring culture is favoring candidates who are willing to compromise with some on-site and remote work schedule.
Employers are also hoping to put a stop to the increasing turnover rates and help foster a greater sense of community. Remote work can create a sense of disconnection within a team. While expensed team lunches at your desk over Zoom or Teams was great during the first few months of the pandemic, nothing matches going out to a local restaurant to get to know your coworkers in the community you share. Working on-site helps foster a sense of community with the people you work with. In a small city like Greenville, there are many locally owned restaurants and events to enjoy. Living in the area where your company is located allows you to understand the culture and foster connections with those who you work with. You will also have access to networking events and other local professionals who can help further your career.
In an ideal world, everyone would like to work remotely. It saves money on gas, commuting time, and increases family time. But after 2 years of fully remote work, we are seeing a trend of on-site requirements coming back to the office, even if it’s a day a week. The trend is certainly here for a hybrid/remote work schedule. Being open to the compromise will benefit both employer and employee long term. Now that’s team work!
Perceptive Recruiting has over 25 years of technical recruiting experience in the Greenville and surrounding markets. We pride ourselves on building relationships and matching high-quality candidates with our clients. We work with our partners every step of the way to provide a valuable and personalized process. Our team speaks to technical professionals daily, investigates new or obscure tech, and asks the right questions to truly be technical recruiting specialists. Let us put our expertise to work for you today.
