Workplaces don’t look the way they used to, says Lettie-Basani Phume, group human capital executive at Momentum Metropolitan, a financial services company with in excess of 16,000 employees.
“In fact, more than half of employees – 55% – said at the beginning of 2022 that they would consider quitting before returning to the office,” said Phume, citingSouth Africa bucks the trend somewhat: with its high unemployment rate of 34.5%, employees are less likely to simply quit rather than return to their offices – however there has been an increase in resignations in specific, skilled industries, indicating that South Africa is not immune to the changing nature of the world of work.
“The emphasis for employers should therefore be a shift in promoting the value of purposeful face-to-face reconnection and collaboration.”It is critical for employers to engage with and work alongside their employees to create an enabling environment that considers the operational requirements of the business, said Phume.
“We have seen great first-hand examples of people who work from anywhere has driven levels of productivity, better work/life integration, and a sense of trust between team members and their managers. Some of our parents particularly appreciate the flexibility to plan their commitments around important time and milestones with their children,” Phume said.
Momentum Metropolitan said it is mindful of what constitutes best HR practices and has responded and adapted to the need for repurposed office spaces – with refurbished offices in Centurion and Cape Town opened in May. Meeting pods, booths and shared workspaces break down the former siloed divisions while the latest technology enable staff to work from anywhere in the building – from hot desks to outside-in landscaped gardens, to quiet rooms for focus time or private conversations, or even prayers and meditation.