From Remote Work to In-Person, How to Make Your Return-to-Work Policy a Competitive Advantage

The Covid pandemic changed the world. Most significantly, it cost millions of lives, a fact no one will recover from soon. But it also created shifts throughout society that are unlikely to be completely unshifted.

 

It revealed fault-lines in everyone’s standard operating procedures—from families, to businesses, to governments. It also revealed the grit, heroism, patience, and kindness of people all over the world. The cruel fact is that not everyone survived, but those who did learned and grew. Not every business survived either, but those that did are still evolving to succeed within with the new landscape.

 

One of the biggest areas of transformation in the business world has been about where people do their work. We learned that people work better from home than many people feared. We found out that people love their autonomy but also that isolation can lead to individual depression and team dysfunction. We also innovated, as a society, technologies and procedures that enabled remote work to be as successful as it was for so many.

 

But what now?

 

Businesses want to see their people together again. Workers don’t want to lose the flexibility and autonomy of remote work. What are our options?

 

Remote, Hybrid, In-Person—Three Models

Though some people worked remotely prior to the pandemic, it was rarely a company policy as much as a perk for certain workers or a nod to unique circumstances. Job-seekers rarely saw “remote work option” as a bullet point on their Indeed or LinkedIn job listings, and an entire generation of business owners and CEOs considered remote work akin to “no work.” Fears that receptionists and sales clerks might grumble if the marketing staff worked remotely created rigid “no-remote” policies that some employees felt were draconian and senseless.

 

On the other hand, in the return-to-the-office camp, there are numerous articles and studies arguing that collaboration is only achieved when teams are in-person, such as this one by Condeco, a company whose purpose is to help businesses get their workers functioning back in the office again. 

 

If remote means a workforce that never shares space, and in-person means everyone is in the office every day, a hybrid work policy is implemented by many companies who want to find the sweet spot between the two. Does a hybrid plan keep everyone happy and maintain maximum productivity? In many cases, it does.

 

Dos and Don’ts of Back-to-Work

We’ve seen companies like Apple and Google walk back precipitously implemented back-to-the-office policies that got serious pushback from employees. Thoughtful planning can help companies avoid backpedaling and flip-flops.

 

Don’t:

  • Rush to decisions and then have to rethink
  • Worry about what the competition is doing
  • Be rigidly demanding about in-office work if the entire leadership team works from home
  • Put team or division managers in charge of back-to-work decisions for their staff

 

Do:

  • Maintain flexibility at all times (flexibility means you don’t have to constantly rewrite rigid rules)
  • Think strategically so your policy becomes an advantage in recruitment, hiring, and employee satisfaction/longevity
  • Figure out what else is happening in your part of the world (remember you probably recruit more from your neighbors, and not necessarily from your competition)
  • Create policies that enhance work satisfaction, make employees feel seen and heard, while also setting expectations that productivity is the goal
  • Create a clear, company-wide policy

 

Logic rules in many cases. For example, some businesses cannot offer remote work. Manufacturing and retail jobs cannot be done remotely, whereas work at a tech company or marketing firm can be. Job roles determine workplace options. Some businesses have always had sales teams that worked remotely 99% of the time. No one questioned it because it was built into the role.

 

And for a hybrid workplace, consider the hierarchy of needs discussed in this article in the Harvard Business Review. In it, the author Rae Ringel says that high complexity goals require people to be in-person and low complexity goals do not. Somewhere in the middle there is wiggle room for a hybrid or in-person choice. Complexity is defined as including “emotional complexity, the range of interdependence, or the need for intervention.” Example of high complexity goals requiring employees be in person include conflict mediation, donor meetings, leadership development, and team building. At the low-complexity end of the spectrum are emergency briefings, skills trainings, and committee updates. Supervision meetings, performance reviews, and strategic planning are left in the middle where nuance can be considered.

 

How Your Back-to-Work Policy Can Give You a Competitive Edge

The goal of your return to office policy is the same as your company’s goal—to be as productive as possible, gain access to new talent, and avoid needless employee turnover, which is costly in a number of ways.

 

Considerations include:

  • Financial savings—Can a strategic hybrid work plan allow you to downsize your bricks and mortar presence and save money that can be allocated to things like salaries, recruitment, research, marketing, or just about anything else?
  • Access to more and better-qualified candidates—Does a flexible policy regarding remote or hybrid work allow you to hire people you would otherwise have no chance of getting?
  • Productivity—Will your policy elicit the highest level of productivity from your people? Job satisfaction, loyalty, and commitment all have an impact on quality of work.

 

According to this piece in Wharton’s Executive Education newsletter, being in-person at least some of the time helps companies maintain the unique “feel” of their workplace culture. Without that, the question is: “How can companies differentiate themselves from each other in the war for talent?”

 

In 2021, PwC conducted a survey of executives and employees to learn about their opinions of remote work a solid year into the Covid pandemic. They found that:

  • 83% of management and workers alike confirmed that remote work had been a huge success in their company.
  • Employees are usually less eager for a return to the workplace than their bosses, but both groups believe the office, though changing in significant ways, is not going anywhere.
  • 87% of employees believe that shared work space leads to successful collegial relationships and team collaborations.
  • New employees want to be in the office more often than not, and management agrees. They and their bosses agree that trainings, supervision by and access to supervisors, and learning company culture are all best done in person.

 

When it comes to the question of how a hybrid model would settle out, there is no consensus. More than half of the workers surveyed would like to be remote three days or more per week, whereas executives are more convinced of the opposite—that most employees should be in-person three or more days a week.

 

Different companies will find what works for them—their business model, mission, workforce, and culture.

 

Let’s look at how two of 180one’s clients have managed these questions.

 

Two Companies Create Policies that Work for Them

 

First, let’s look at a manufacturing company with 1000+ employees. Leadership did a deep dive into each role and its function within the company to come up with a remote/hybrid model that worked for them. They did not want a one-size-fits-all policy. The manufacturing workforce has to be on-site—their job simply requires it. Other roles within the company could be done on a partially remote schedule. They came up with a clear policy for each department and role.


This choice considers all factors. Whereas many manufacturing companies would prefer an easy to enforce blanket policy that simply brings everyone back on-site, this company allowed for a nuanced consideration of what productivity looks like across a diverse range of roles and how their worksite/remote policy can enhance their hiring capacity. 


The next company is smaller. Three-hundred employees provide professional services in a culture that greatly values collaboration. This company understood the benefits to the recruitment and retention of top-quality candidates from all over the country by using a 100% remote model. But they came up with a genius plan for how to maintain the company’s strong collaborative culture and keep their employees connected. Periodically through the year they create a pop-up office somewhere in the US and invite employees who are in striking distance of the location to join members of their team for a week or two. The company provides hotel accommodations and reserves a conference/workspace in a hotel or conference center.

 

Their unique approach is hugely popular with their workers. They value the autonomy and flexibility of remote work but look forward to their in-person office opportunities to bond with colleagues and experience the higher energy of in-person work several times a year.


Takeaways

For too long, the decisions about remote or hybrid work policies decisions were based on entrenched biases and emotional reactions to something few people had much experience with. Fear of the unknown had executives and managers in turmoil. But, by and large, things worked out. Workers across the country proved to themselves and their bosses that they are adaptable, trustworthy, and committed, whether they are in the office or at their kitchen table. The success of remote work during the pandemic made all of us rethink how and where corporate work gets done.


When those remote/hybrid policy decisions are based on research and data, real conversations with people in your company, and how best to reach your long-range goals—the policies receive less pushback, are more successful, and engender trust. 


By Christine Kennedy March 12, 2025
Corporate Development Manager About the Company Impel is a family of companies that offer comprehensive flow management solutions in partnership with each other and the best manufacturers in the world. Each of Impels branches represent individual brand cultures and span the West Coast. Impel serves customers in water, wastewater, agriculture, industrial, manufacturing, energy and mining. Impel was founded in 2021 with a vision to build a “one-stop shop” to serve municipal and industrial fluid management needs by acquiring complementary capabilities in contiguous geographies. The platform launched with the first acquisition of PumpTech , a premier distributor of high-quality pumping products and systems serving the Pacific Northwest. Subsequent acquisitions have grown Impel to over ten fluid management companies throughout the US. Impel is backed by Pike Street Capital , a private equity firm based in Seattle, WA. Recently, Pike Street successfully raised capital to fund additional acquisitions. Impel is actively pursuing growth opportunities and remains focused on acquiring and partnering with family-owned and operated companies in the sector. About the Role This is a key position managing the acquisition process within Impel. You will participate in all aspects of the investment process including industry/market research, deal origination, strategy and execution, and relationship building with acquisition target owners, executives, investment bankers and other intermediaries. This is a great role if you’re looking to own the deal process and progress your skillset as a deal professional. This role will give you deep insight into the entire acquisition process while closing multiple deals a year. We are a fairly lean team and believe in cross functional work so come with a growth mindset and you will develop a skillset across each business function; Our team believes in developing our team members. Primary Responsibilities Perform company analysis, including initial screenings, financial modeling and valuation, due diligence, consultation with external advisors, and preparation of materials for internal investment meetings. Responsible for M&A project management processes to include, but not limited to, valuations, letters of intent, due diligence analysis, financial planning, and business case development. Analysis of risks and opportunities of M&A activities, translate this into fact-based and well-reasoned insights on the valuation and structural impact of various acquisitions. Drive market research and strategic fit analysis. Conduct research on prospective sector opportunities and market trends and develop and present data-based opinions to inform decision-making and price transactions. Participate on deal teams to help structure and execute transactions, including coordinating the deal process and legal and transactional documentation. Special projects working directly with C suite, functional leads, and regional vice presidents. Qualifications 2-6 years experience in private equity, consulting, financial DD/QoE, investment banking, accounting, or corporate M&A Exposure to other diligence areas including commercial, operational, market sizing, risk analysis, customer and supplier, agreement review, etc. Excel and PowerPoint expertise Value oriented Strong communication skills Commitment to high professional standards Credentials: CPA preferred Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Impel to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley /503.334.1350/ tom@180one.com
By Greg Togni March 10, 2025
Long Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) and Why to Implement Executive compensation is a nuanced and multifaceted subject that involves a delicate balance between rewarding top talent and aligning their interests with the long-term success of the organization. Typically, executive pay packages consist of three primary components: base salary, annual bonuses, and long-term incentive plans (LTIPs). While base salary and annual bonuses have historically been the most visible and commonly discussed elements of executive compensation, LTIPs are increasingly being recognized as the third and arguably most important leg of the stool. LTIPs serve as a tool for aligning the goals of executives with those of the company over the long term, offering rewards that are tied to the sustained growth and profitability of the organization. As businesses evolve and face growing challenges, LTIPs have become a central component in shaping how executives are compensated, ensuring they remain focused on creating long-term shareholder value. Over the past 75 years, LTIPs have been a common feature in public companies, where stock options, performance shares, and other equity-based incentives align executives with shareholder interests. It hasn’t been until the past couple of decades that private companies have implemented LTIPs to align executives' interests with the long-term success of the company, but also almost out of necessity to compete for the same talent who might already possess an LTIP as part of their compensation. What Are Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs)? Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) are compensation structures designed to reward executives for achieving long-term business goals. Unlike annual bonuses, which are typically tied to short-term financial metrics, LTIPs are structured to reward performance over a longer time horizon—usually three to five years or more. The primary purpose of LTIPs is to ensure that executives are motivated to focus on sustainable growth, value creation, and the long-term health of the company. The Factors Driving the Adoption of LTIPs in Private Companies According to a survey by WorldatWork, approximately 63% of private companies are using LTIPs as a means of rewarding executives and aligning their interests with the company’s long-term success. Several factors have contributed to the rise in popularity of LTIPs in private companies, ranging from the quest for competitive advantage to changes in organizational dynamics and evolving employee expectations. But the following reasons might shed additional insight: Companies with LTIPs Have 30% Higher Revenue Growth: Research by the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) found that companies that implement equity-based LTIPs experience 30% higher revenue growth compared to those that do not. The statistic underscores the positive impact of LTIPs on a company’s overall performance, as they drive executive focus on achieving goals that lead to sustained revenue growth, innovation, and market expansion. 91% of Executives in Private Companies Cite LTIPs as Key to Retention: A survey by Korn Ferry found that 91% of executives in privately held companies consider LTIPs an essential factor in their decision to stay with the company. The statistics demonstrate the significant role LTIPs play in retaining key talent, ensuring that executives are motivated to stay with the company over the long term. By offering equity-based compensation, companies can reduce turnover and keep their leadership team focused on long-term objectives. Companies With LTIPs Are 50% More Likely to Meet Exit Targets: According to a report by Bain & Company, private companies that implement LTIPs are 50% more likely to meet or exceed their exit targets during mergers, acquisitions, or initial public offerings (IPOs). By aligning executives' interests with long-term value creation, LTIPs motivate leadership to work toward achieving the performance metrics that will maximize the company’s value at the time of sale or public offering. Transitioning Ownership and Succession Planning: For family-owned businesses or privately held companies with a significant ownership stake held by a small group, succession planning is another critical factor in the decision to adopt LTIPs. As the company grows and the leadership team evolves, there may be a need to transition ownership to new management. LTIPs can help retain key executives during this period of change, providing financial incentives that keep the team focused on the company’s long-term growth even during periods of uncertainty. As businesses strive to remain competitive and evolve in an increasingly dynamic marketplace, the adoption of LTIPs has evolved as a key driver for optimizing performance. No longer limited to public companies; private companies have increasingly recognized the benefit and need for these compensation structures. Perhaps adding these 4 simple letters (L-T-I-P) to a company’s compensation program could be the difference maker that they’ve been looking for.
By Greg Togni March 3, 2025
Assistant General Counsel With roots going back to the 1960’s, Forest City Trading Group (FCTG), may have started as a small lumber yard run by two immigrant brothers, but has since grown into North America’s largest wholesale lumber product distributor. FCTG facilitates the distribution of products across 6 continents through our network of 12 operating companies and over 800 employees. The company’s impact is far-reaching, especially when considering that one in every ten houses today is built using products sourced and sold by our operating companies. As proponents of forest sustainability, FCTG actively supports suppliers who use sustainable forest management practices that promote forest sustainability and result in long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits. Due to significant growth over the last decade, and expecting strong growth in years to come, FCTG is adding an Assistant General Counsel to their legal team to support growth and help scale the business. Position Overview Forest City Trading Group is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Assistant General Counsel to report directly to, and support, the General Counsel and assist in managing the company's legal operations. The ideal candidate will have strong legal expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across different business units. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be a part of a dynamic team while contributing to the growth and success of the company. Key Responsibilities Provide legal support to the General Counsel on a variety of corporate, commercial, regulatory, and operational matters. Assist in the company's legal department operations, including document management, contract review and negotiation, legal strategy, and corporate governance. Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Assist with the management of corporate compliance and risk management programs, including conducting legal risk assessments and providing recommendations for mitigation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., finance, IT, human resources, marketing, trading operations) to provide legal guidance on operational and business issues. Advise on employment law matters, including policies, employee relations, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. Handle legal research and due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions as needed. Manage outside counsel and vendors, ensuring legal matters are handled efficiently and cost-effectively. Assist with litigation and dispute resolution matters, including managing internal investigations, handling settlement negotiations, and overseeing litigation strategy. Stay updated on legal developments and regulatory changes that may impact the company’s operations and provide proactive legal solutions. Qualifications and Skills Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school. Licensed to practice law in Oregon. Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, with preference for some experience within a corporate or in-house legal environment. Experience in corporate governance, commercial contracts, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and solve complex legal problems. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain a high level of professionalism under pressure. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion. Preferred Experiences Experience supporting operational functions, such as HR, marketing, and compliance, in a corporate setting. Previous experience managing outside counsel and coordinating legal projects. Experience with construction and material supply contracts. Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Forest City Trading Group to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Lisa Heffernan/ 971.256.3076/ lisa@180one.com
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