The youngest generation of employees in the workforce has spent most of their professional careers working remotely. Some Gen Z employees have never stepped foot in a real office, had their own cubicle or been to a 5 o'clock happy hour with their colleagues.
Now that companies are making the transition back to in-person work, the same energy that was put into developing engagement strategies for remote employees should be invested in communicating with first time employees in the office. Here are three communication strategies to engage Gen Z employees as they transition to the office for the first time.
What’s more inviting than a personalized gift? A curated bundle of items like a note from the CEO, a map of the office space and branded company merch is a creative and effective communication channel to reach those office newbies. Gen Z employees who have only ever worked in the comfort of their home are stepping into an unfamiliar environment but presenting them with a thoughtful gift shows their presence in the office is prioritized and important to the success of the company. (This would be a nice touch for all new hires over the last few years who are entering the office for the first time.)
Corporate social events are key to employee engagement — especially for employees who have never met their coworkers in person. Think about it in comparison to online dating – communicating solely through technology limits the personal connection you can create, but work-sponsored events give networking opportunities to not only grow personal relationships, but also professional ones.
Gen Z employees that have enjoyed working from home may have some hesitancy returning to the office, so giving them a chance to socialize with other young coworkers in a casual, fun environment will ease the transition. (Read more on ways to excite employees back to the office, here.)
Creating a space for young employees to meet with their superiors face-to-face gives them a chance to accelerate their career and learn directly from their managers. Work-life balance shifts when transitioning from remote to in-person, so one-on-one meetings between managers and their employees are crucial. Managers should use this time to check-in on their employee’s well-being, discuss expectations and set goals in this new environment. (For more information on the importance of face-to-face meetings, you might like this Washington Post article.)
Want to engage Gen-Z employees as they transition from remote to in-person work? Tribe can help.
