While We Were Working: Your Weekly Small Business HR News and Strategy Podcast - Should Small Businesses Bring Employees Back To The Office?

Should Small Businesses Bring Employees Back To The Office?

09/07/22 • 27 min

While We Were Working: Your Weekly Small Business HR News and Strategy Podcast

Apple workers recently launched a petition against the company's reported return to office plan. If one of the most influential companies worldwide is getting pushback from its team, what does this mean for small businesses?

Today, Sommer and Joey discuss the pros and cons of asking team members to return to the office. Tune in to find out more!

You'll learn what to do if your employees don't want to return to the office and how this issue plays out in the context of company culture and the employee experience.

In this episode's 'Consultant's Corner,' Joey and Sommer also share all you need to know about employee handbooks; why you need one, what it should include, and some tips on creating the perfect employee handbook.

Key Takeaways

Should small businesses ask employees back to the office? (00:00)
Why workers in large organizations refuse to return to the office (05:35)
Is remote work a sustainable option for small businesses? (06:54)
Why not going back to the office could be harmful to company culture (10:17)
Why an employee handbook is a crucial part of your HR toolkit (15:08)
The dangers of not having an employee handbook (16:48)
The number one reason your company needs an employee handbook (19:00)
Best practices when creating employee handbooks (22:45)
How often should organizations update their employee handbooks? (25:46)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/apple-workers-launch-petition-companys-reported-return-office-plan-rcna44156

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: [email protected]

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

👉 Join our Student and Early Stage HR Pro community -

https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/pWTbD2Ue/checkout

Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

Today, Sommer and Joey discuss the pros and cons of asking team members to return to the office. Tune in to find out more!

You'll learn what to do if your employees don't want to return to the office and how this issue plays out in the context of company culture and the employee experience.

Key Takeaways

Should small businesses ask employees back to the office? (00:00)
Why workers in large organizations refuse to return to the office (05:35)
Is remote work a sustainable option for small businesses? (06:54)
Why not going back to the office could be harmful to company culture (10:17)
Why an employee handbook is a crucial part of your HR toolkit (15:08)
The dangers of not having an employee handbook (16:48)
The number one reason your company needs an employee handbook (19:00)
Best practices when creating employee handbooks (22:45)
How often should organizations update their employee handbooks? (25:46)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/apple-workers-launch-petition-companys-reported-return-office-plan-rcna44156

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: [email protected]

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

👉 Join our Student and Early Stage HR Pro community -

https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/pWTbD2Ue/checkout

Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

Previous Episode

4 Ways Small Businesses Can Create A More Trans-Inclusive Workplace

A recent federal appeals court decision granted transgender workers broadened legal protections under the ADA. So, it's a good time for small businesses to reevaluate their current anti-discrimination policies and to find ways to provide the best experience possible for their trans workers.

In this week's episode, Sommer and Joey share tips for small businesses on creating a more transgender-friendly workplace. You'll learn to evaluate whether your business meets the new ADA compliance requirements and some examples of reasonable accommodations in the workplace.

Joey and Sommer also discuss the importance of training your team. The main reason employees leave organizations is a lack of growth opportunities - a recent survey showed that 74% of surveyed employees feel they aren't reaching their full potential at work due to a lack of proper training and development opportunities.

Tune in to find out how to own your role as a leader, how to influence people, and how you can train your team to perform better, communicate better, and embrace your company's culture better.

Key Takeaways

How to create a more trans-friendly workplace (00:00)
The implications of the new ADA ruling for small businesses (04:40)
Examples of reasonable accommodations in the workplace (07:39)
How to evaluate whether you're providing reasonable accommodations (09:50)
The importance of training your team (14:25)
Tips on becoming a better leader and influencing people (15:07)
The main reason people leave organizations (19:09)
The best thing you can do as a manager (21:53)
The secret to becoming a great leader (25:38)

Additional Resources

📰 Article in question:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/transgender-workers-rights-expanded-by-gender-dysphoria-ruling

Do you need HR consulting for YOUR small business? We got you covered!

👉 Learn more at: https://jumpstart-hr.com/

Do you have a question that you want us to tackle on the show?

📧 Email us at: [email protected]

Java With Joey (Monthly Small Business CEO Mastermind) - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/mwka2AyB/checkout

👉 Join our Empowered People Leaders Community [FREE Access] - https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/MwchLoyL/checkout

👉 Join our Student and Early Stage HR Pro community -

https://community.jumpstart-hr.com/offers/pWTbD2Ue/checkout

Hosts: Joey Price and Sommer Ketron

This show is powered by Jumpstart:HR, LLC

www.Jumpstart-HR.com

Next Episode

Did Remote Work Ruin Workplace Etiquette?

From cursing in team meetings to quitting with short notice, we're witnessing a decline in proper workplace etiquette - and many believe remote work is to blame. So, is that the case? How did we go from shaking hands in meetings to cursing or not showing up?

Today, Jumpstart HR Consultant Brittleigh Cox joins Sommer to discuss why proper workplace etiquette is getting worse, why it's problematic, and what small business HR teams can do about it.

Brittleigh and Sommer also discuss temporary wage increases. When a team member leaves the company, a common strategy is to get the rest of the team to pick up those duties and give them a temporary raise until a new worker is hired. But is this the best approach?

Tune in to find out!

You'll also learn how to manage this scenario properly, the potential downsides and dangers, and alternatives to wage increases.

Key Takeaways