Returning to the Workplace

Last month, the Bespoke Careers New York office held the latest in their virtual talk series tackling the most pressing challenges HR professionals at architecture and design firms are facing. The hot topic was the challenges and considerations of returning the workforce to the office. Joined by thirty of New York’s leading firms, the discussion focused on sharing experiences and learning from each other.

In line with most New York industries, a recent poll we conducted revealed that 70% of our clients have yet to return to their office. 35% plan on a return to the office in quarter three of this year, with most setting Labor Day as the critical date. 29% have yet to set a date for their return and of those who are already back in the office, the majority are operating a hybrid in office and work from home split. 

New York firms reacted to the early challenges of the pandemic by adopting and implementing online technologies that enabled their remote workforce to continue to collaborate. Now, some 14 months later as the city gradually opens up, the new challenge is completely different. How do you best manage the workforce’s return to the office?  Is it possible to require employees to get vaccinated? What if my employee moved away and doesn’t want to return? 

On hand to field these questions and the many legal considerations around them was our expert speaker, Jason B Klimpl, partner at Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt, LLP. The legal guidance around Covid-19 related issues is always a fast-moving area and the conversation touched on discrimination, sick leave, OSHA compliance, the NY Forward Safety Plan and the NY Hero Act. We are confident that Jason’s guidance, together with input from group members, will have informed the return to work plans for the firms.

If you have any questions about the return of your own workforce to the office reach out to newyork@bespokecareers.com