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Thoughts on Going Back to the Office - Full Time vs. Hybrid
As co-owner of a corporate events company in Santa Monica for more than 27 years (pre-pandemic), it’s not at all surprising to me that a full-time return to the office (post-pandemic) is practically non-existent — with the exception of essential workers.
Started in 1993, my former company went swiftly from working out of my partners’ home to adding staff and renting a space in West LA, to further growing and purchasing a building in Santa Monica which we creatively built out and moved our team in. A small business, run by my two partners and myself, we had 20 full time staff — five of whom worked remotely, the other in the office full time.
To say we were proud of owning our own building after just 5 years is an understatement. We hosted client meetings, threw amazingly fun and creative holiday parties with highly sought-after invites, client appreciations, open houses, happy hours, etc. The atmosphere was always energetic, busy, creative and fun. Working five days a week in the office (or more at times) was the norm, and we intentionally made our office a place where workers wanted to be.
The years went on. Business was good and our young staff was growing and starting families. “The kids” as we called them, were starting to buy their first homes. Of course, properties even remotely close to Santa Monica were crazy expensive and out of financial reach. So, homes were purchased in the outlying areas — North Hollywood, Simi Valley, Chatsworth, etc. And so began their long, long commutes, followed by frequent and continuous requests to work remotely — at least several days a month. We did have remote workers, but that was because they were a plane ride away. We wanted everyone in the LA area in the office to better creatively collaborate and take advantage of this great space we had put so much into.
Cut to 2020. Enter the Pandemic. All of our scheduled events for that year — including our large anchor ones — were canceled. Like everyone, we held out hope this would all be over in a month or two. Or three. Eventually, with no end in sight, we sadly were left with no choice but to lay off the majority of our staff. We kept a handful of remote workers and leased out the building. Just prior to the Pandemic, I told my partners that after 27 years, I wanted to do something different and was going to start planning my exit. A friend/colleague of mine had started a business in the Bay Area — Puppy Love — providing health and wellness experiences in the workplace with rescue puppies. I loved the simplicity, the give-back factor and the idea of offering a service with no agenda except pure joy. I was excited and purchased the Southern California franchise.
And then, the pandemic hit. And unfortunately, it’s difficult to have an event in the workplace when no one is in the workplace.
Cut to 2023 as we continue to emerge from the pandemic pile-up. I have been doing Puppy Love events since the beginning of last year when people began inching back to the office. And, putting it mildly, they have been an absolute joy for my clients and a runaway success! However, not any one of the companies I am working with is back in the office full time — all are hybrid with people coming in intermittently. And no real plans to change that model.
Interestingly, this new work landscape makes Puppy Love and other workplace engagements that much more important. Humans are social creatures, And while the pandemic afforded all of us the chance to prove that working at home was productive and saved a ton of time commuting, many of us missed the camaraderie, the interaction, the support and the laughter a positive office setting offers.
I believe the hybrid work design provides the best of both worlds. Having a few days to WFH respects employees needs to manage their own time and save on commuting hours — making for a happier workforce. Coming in on scheduled days gives the opportunity to see co-workers and collaborate/connect.
Companies are also being smart about how to make it attractive for employees to come in. (See this recent article in the LA Times.) Catered lunches, music, ice cream, happy hours — all are great. But we’ve seen these before. Adding a puppy therapy experience to the mix is incredibly unique, joyous, bonding — and a give back (pups are adoptable and Puppy Love donates a generous percentage of our proceeds to our rescue partners).
In addition, employee appreciation, employee health and wellness and mental health awareness have become huge in today’s workplace. However, employee engagements should not be merely checking a box and providing same-old, same-old, but thoughtfully chosen to ensure these experiences are highly anticipated, enjoyed and shared. Benefits like happiness, stress-relief and just a pure mental break all help ensure employees are refreshed and rejuvenated — and thereby more productive.
Interestingly, but not surprisingly, one of my main markets has been Property Managers for corporate campuses. Occupancy has dropped tremendously since pre-pandemic and is now at roughly 60% capacity — mostly on a hybrid basis. Property managers have been creative on how they show tenant appreciation by offering lunchtime walks, yoga, taco trucks, etc. Corporate Pointe in West Hills held a Valentine’s Event on their grassy campus that included Puppy Love, a DJ and a vendor selling Valentine’s bouquets for all the last minute shoppers. Lincoln Property Company has done a number of events at their different locations and comments like “We should do this every day” and “My serotonin is at an all-time high”and “In 5 minutes I have completely de-stressed” are heard over and over.
Certainly the pandemic was devastating in many ways. But something that monumental can also bring about positive change — namely a re-imagined work design and a focus on happy employees and their health and well being — both physical and mental. I often wish I’d thought of bringing puppies to my last company on a regular basis, knowing the joy and mental health benefits they provide. I know our team would have loved those events and appreciated management for making them happen. It’s amazing the attitude re-set that comes from snuggling a puppy — with no agenda other than happiness.