The Neuberger Berman Group, New York, for example, allows its employees to choose whether or when to return to the company’s offices, said George Walker, chairman and CEO.
“Neuberger Berman operates in a no-questions-asked work environment,” said Mr. Walker, stressing that employees who are afraid or nervous about returning to their offices need not do so.
The return of employees to the workplace at Neuberger Berman began with just 10% to 15% of employees present in mid-2021. As of Labor Day, about 75% of employees are now working at least part of the time in their offices, Mr Walker said.
Neuberger Berman had $437 billion under management as of September 30 and was ranked #1 in Best Places among employers with more than 1,000 US employees.
Managers on the conference panel said a hybrid working model of being in the office some days a week and working remotely on other days is a popular and important option for both existing employees and potential new hires.
At New York-based Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., employees have changed the way they work since the outbreak of COVID-19 and are keen to adopt a hybrid working model, with 90% of employees surveyed saying they retain some flexibility want to get on with their working lives, said panel member Racheal Hanifan, director of human resources.
Schroder North America is now hiring in a very competitive talent market, as Ms Hanifan described, and flexibility in the workplace is something “every single candidate demands”.
“People are rethinking what they want to do and their career expectations have changed,” Ms. Hanifan said, and staff are now focused on flexibility, a sustainable job and meaningful work.
In response, Schroder North America has changed its people management policies to better serve employees with fewer formal reviews and more coaching sessions, she said.
Schroder Investment Management North America, recognized in the large employers category with 100 to 499 employees, had $172 billion under management as of September 30.
Other panelists said their companies have been exceptionally supportive of employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as they deal with the challenges and stress that have come with working remotely.
For example, Poland Capital Management LLC, Boca Raton, Fla., which had about $80 billion under management as of Nov. 30, focused on offering free psychological counseling to its employees, Rachel Trock, director of human resources, said during the panel discussion.
The program is “very popular with staff,” as is an annual stipend, part of which can also be used for consulting services, Ms Trock said.
Because Poland’s employees “want to know they’re being heard,” Ms. Trock said, CEO Stan C. Moss has spoken to each of the company’s 144 employees about an investigation, a measure she says is very positive for employees.
Poland Capital does not require or urge its employees to come to the firm’s offices, but Ms Trock said about 80% of employees work in their offices regularly.
Poland ranked first in the large employer category (100 to 499 US employees) in P&I’s Best Places to Work.
