Guide to Running Return to Office Surveys for Effective Employee Feedback Collection

As companies worldwide navigate the transition back to office life, understanding employee sentiment is more important than ever. The pandemic changed how we work, with remote setups becoming the norm for many. 

However, the return to the office brings with it mixed feelings. While some employees are eager to get back to in-person collaboration, others may have reservations about health, safety, or work-life balance.

A return to office survey offers organizations a way to gauge how their employees feel about this transition. By listening to their concerns, preferences, and suggestions, companies can shape policies that strike a balance between business needs and employee well-being. 

These surveys not only provide insights into what employees want but also help in making the process smoother and more inclusive.

Why conduct a return to office survey?

The return to office survey serves as a critical tool in managing the transition back to physical workspaces. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Addressing employee concerns: Many employees have mixed emotions about returning to the office. Some may have health concerns, while others might be apprehensive about resuming commutes or balancing family commitments. A survey helps gather this information, allowing companies to address specific concerns.
• Balancing remote and in-office preferences: Not every employee will want the same work arrangement. Some may prefer to return full-time, others may favor a hybrid model, and some might want to remain fully remote. By understanding these preferences, companies can make informed decisions about offering flexible work options.
• Shaping policies based on feedback: Employee feedback plays a vital role in creating effective return-to-office policies. Surveys help organizations craft guidelines that reflect employee needs while aligning with business goals. Whether it’s adjusting office hours, implementing safety measures, or enhancing remote work options, the survey data provides the foundation for better decision-making.

Examples of companies that have run to-office surveys post-pandemic

Several major companies have conducted return-to-office surveys post-pandemic to shape their workplace strategies. Here are examples of some of them.

1. Apple: Adapting to employee feedback on return to office

Apple, known for its innovative culture, faced a challenging situation when planning its return to the office post-pandemic. In 2021, the company conducted internal surveys to gauge how employees felt about the return to office policy.

The feedback was clear—many employees preferred more flexible work arrangements, with a significant portion advocating for a hybrid model that allowed them to work remotely for part of the week.

However, the company’s initial plan to require employees to return to the office three days a week was met with resistance.

One external survey conducted on the anonymous social network Blind found that 76% of Apple employees who responded were "dissatisfied" with Apple's return-to-office policy, and 56% said they would consider leaving the company as a result of this mandate. This dissatisfaction led to delays in Apple's full return-to-office plans as the company reevaluated how to manage its workforce’s preferences.

After multiple delays, Apple eventually launched its return-to-office program in September 2022, with more flexibility built into the model. Employees were allowed to work remotely two days a week, while spending three days in the office, typically on designated collaborative days.

2. PwC's return to office survey: Shaping the future of work

PwC’s 2021 Return to Office Survey provided critical insights into how both executives and employees viewed the future of work. The survey revealed that 83% of employers saw remote work as successful, leading to the widespread adoption of hybrid work models. 

However, while 68% of executives felt employees should be in the office at least three days a week to maintain company culture, 55% of employees preferred to work remotely at least three days weekly. This disconnect pushed PwC to adopt a flexible hybrid approach, balancing both in-office and remote work preferences.

Additionally, 87% of executives anticipated real estate strategy changes, consolidating office spaces and opening satellite locations to support hybrid work. PwC’s data-driven approach allowed them to create a gradual return-to-office plan that catered to employee comfort, productivity, and flexibility, ultimately shaping their long-term workplace policies.

3. Microsoft

In 2021, Microsoft conducted comprehensive surveys to understand how its workforce felt about returning to the office after the pandemic. The surveys revealed that a significant portion of employees preferred a hybrid work model, valuing the flexibility to work from home while still enjoying in-person collaboration when necessary. 

Many employees expressed a desire for this mix, as it allowed them to maintain productivity and a healthy work-life balance.

In response to this feedback, Microsoft announced a flexible hybrid work policy that permitted employees to work from home part-time or full-time based on their preferences. This decision not only boosted employee satisfaction but also helped the company retain top talent in a competitive job market. 

By emphasizing employee well-being and adaptability, Microsoft positioned itself as a forward-thinking employer committed to meeting the evolving needs of its workforce.

4. Spotify

Spotify also took significant steps to understand employee sentiments regarding returning to the office. The company conducted surveys that inquired about employees' preferences for remote and in-office work. 

The results indicated a strong inclination toward flexibility, with many employees desiring the option to choose their working environment. The feedback highlighted the importance of accommodating diverse work styles and personal circumstances, from those who thrived in an office setting to those who preferred the solitude of remote work.

As a result of the survey findings, Spotify introduced a "Work From Anywhere" policy, allowing employees to decide how they wanted to work moving forward. This flexible approach not only improved employee satisfaction but also helped attract talent from various locations, enhancing the company’s diversity. By prioritizing employee choice, Spotify reinforced its commitment to a modern, inclusive workplace culture that aligns with the evolving nature of work.

Key questions to include in a return to office survey

When designing a return to office survey, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to gather actionable insights. Here are some key areas to focus on:

• Health and safety concerns: "Do you feel comfortable with the current health and safety measures in the office?" This question addresses employee concerns regarding sanitation, social distancing, and any lingering fears around the pandemic.
• Work-life balance and productivity preferences: "How has remote work affected your productivity and work-life balance?" By understanding how employees have adapted to remote work, you can better assess whether they’d prefer to continue working from home, return to the office, or adopt a hybrid model.
• Preferred working model: "What is your preferred working arrangement: full-time in the office, hybrid, or fully remote?" This question helps gauge overall preferences and enables organizations to explore flexible working models.
• Commute concerns and flexibility needs: "Would you prefer more flexible working hours to accommodate commuting times?" As many employees have adjusted to the convenience of no commute, this question helps understand how much flexibility is desired to ease the transition back to the office.

20 More questions to include in a return to office survey

Here are some more Return to Office Survey questions that you can use to gather feedback on and make this survey as comfortable and efficient as possible.

1. How comfortable do you feel returning to the office in the current environment?

Very comfortable / Somewhat comfortable / Not comfortable

2. What concerns, if any, do you have about returning to the office?

Open-ended

3. Would you prefer a hybrid work model (part-time in the office, part-time remote)?

Yes / No / Maybe

4. How many days per week would you prefer to work in the office?

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

5. Do you feel the office environment has sufficient safety measures in place (e.g., sanitization, distancing)?

Strongly Agree / Agree / Neutral / Disagree / Strongly Disagree

6. What amenities or adjustments would make your transition back to the office easier?

Open-ended

7. How do you think your productivity will be impacted by returning to the office?

Increased / Stay the same / Decreased

8. Do you feel that your work-life balance will be affected by returning to the office?

Yes / No / Not sure

9. What kind of support would help you feel more comfortable returning to the office?

Open-ended

10. What mode of communication do you prefer to stay informed about return-to-office policies and updates?

Email / Slack / Meetings / Other

11. How do you feel about the flexibility of working hours when returning to the office?

Very satisfied / Satisfied / Neutral / Unsatisfied / Very unsatisfied

12. What aspects of remote work would you like to see integrated into in-office work?

Open-ended

13. How effective do you think your team’s collaboration will be in a fully or partially in-office setting?

More effective / Same as before / Less effective

14. What, if any, changes to the office layout would help you feel more comfortable?

Open-ended

15. Would you prefer more frequent breaks or mental health support upon returning to the office?

Yes / No / Maybe

16. Do you feel that returning to the office will positively or negatively impact your overall job satisfaction?

Positively / No impact / Negatively

17. Do you anticipate challenges with commuting to the office?

Yes / No / Maybe

18. How confident are you in the company's long-term plans for workplace safety and flexibility?

Very confident / Confident / Neutral / Not confident / Not at all confident

19. Would you prefer to have access to wellness programs (e.g., gym, mental health workshops) in the office?

Yes / No / Maybe

20. How do you feel about potential mandatory vaccinations or health checks to return to the office?

Strongly support / Support / Neutral / Oppose / Strongly oppose

These questions can help you gauge employee sentiment, concerns, and preferences regarding the return to office.

Analyzing and acting on survey feedback

Once the survey results are collected, the next step is to analyze the feedback and take meaningful actions. This process involves understanding the data to uncover key themes and developing strategies that align with employee preferences and business objectives.

• Identifying common themes: Look for patterns in employee responses. Are there common safety concerns? Do many employees prefer a hybrid working model? Identifying these themes will help guide decision-making and prioritize areas that need immediate attention.
• Addressing health, flexibility, and mental health concerns: If the survey reveals significant anxiety around health and safety, consider updating office protocols, such as improved sanitation measures or staggered work shifts. If flexibility is a common request, explore hybrid or remote options. Mental health concerns may indicate a need for wellness initiatives or support programs.
• Building data-driven policies: The insights gathered from the survey allow leadership to create policies that reflect the workforce’s needs. Whether it’s offering flexible schedules, investing in better workplace safety, or providing remote work options, the goal is to use the feedback to foster a smoother transition back to the office.

Taking action based on employee feedback not only builds trust but also shows employees that their voices are valued, leading to higher satisfaction and morale.

Best practices for running an effective return to office survey

To ensure your return to office survey is successful, it’s important to follow a few key best practices. These tips will help you gather more accurate insights and take meaningful actions based on employee feedback.

• Ensure anonymity and confidentiality: Employees are more likely to provide honest feedback if they feel their responses are anonymous. Ensure that your survey platform guarantees confidentiality to encourage openness and candor.
• Keep questions short and focused: Long surveys can lead to fatigue, which may result in rushed or incomplete answers. Keep your questions clear, concise, and focused on specific areas like safety, work preferences, and productivity. This will help you gather more valuable and actionable insights.
• Regular follow-ups for ongoing feedback: A single survey offers a snapshot, but continuous feedback helps you monitor employee sentiment over time. Follow-up surveys allow you to assess the impact of any changes and ensure that employee concerns are being addressed.
• Use the right tools for distribution and analysis: Platforms like Empuls make it easy to distribute surveys and analyze the results in real time. Choose tools that offer features like customizable templates, instant feedback analysis, and detailed reporting to streamline the entire process.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your return to office survey provides reliable insights and lays the foundation for a smoother, more successful transition.

Empuls: Revolutionizing your return to office survey process

Empuls takes employee surveys to the next level, making it easier for companies to understand and act on employee feedback during the transition back to the office. With its AI-powered insights, customizable surveys, and actionable recommendations, Empuls empowers organizations to craft data-driven strategies that resonate with their workforce.

• Instant AI-powered insights: Empuls delivers real-time feedback analysis, allowing companies to gauge employee sentiment at the moment. Whether it's concerns about health, productivity, or work-life balance, Empuls quickly identifies key trends, giving leadership the tools they need to respond effectively.
• Customizable surveys tailored to your needs: Empuls offers fully customizable survey templates, designed to address the unique challenges of returning to the office. Whether you're focusing on safety measures, flexibility preferences, or mental health concerns, you can build a survey that covers all critical aspects.
• Actionable recommendations at your fingertips: Beyond collecting data, Empuls provides actionable intelligence with its advanced analytics engine. It doesn’t just tell you what the issues are—it guides you on how to address them. By offering clear recommendations, Empuls ensures that companies can act quickly to improve employee satisfaction and retention.
• Data-driven strategies for a seamless transition: Empuls helps you develop flexible work policies and adapt office protocols, all based on real-time employee feedback. This data-driven approach ensures that your decisions are not only responsive but also aligned with employee expectations, leading to a smoother and more successful return to the office.

Empuls transforms employee sentiment into meaningful, actionable insights that drive positive change, making your return-to-office transition thoughtful, data-driven, and employee-focused.

To further explore how Empuls can assist your organization in this transition, schedule a call with us. During this conversation, we can delve into your specific needs and objectives, ensuring that our solutions are perfectly aligned with your goals.

Conclusion

A well-executed return to office survey is more than just a tool for collecting employee feedback—it's a way to build trust, improve engagement, and ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. By addressing employee concerns, offering flexibility, and using tools like Empuls to gather real-time insights, organizations can create a thoughtful and responsive return-to-office plan.

Listening to employees and acting on their feedback strengthens workplace culture, increases morale, and fosters a more engaged workforce. As companies continue to navigate this new phase, regular feedback and data-driven decisions will be key to maintaining a healthy, productive, and happy workplace.

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