The return-to-office movement is no longer a question. For many businesses, employees returning to the office, more than once a week, is an expectation.
Companies of all sizes and sectors have rolled out stricter in-office mandates. One company for example, required employees to be in the office 39 days per quarter or risk losing out on promotions and team perks. Nearly half of its workforce chose to stay remote anyway, which may signal the overwhelming preference to remain remote – or at least have a flexible hybrid policy.
So, if you’re going to request your employees to return, you need to ask yourself: “What can I do to make this workplace appealing to return to?”
At Personify Health, we’ve always believed the answer lies within a blend of culture and human-first policies.
A healthy workplace isn’t fruit bowls or after-work pizza parties.
It’s about creating a space where people feel welcomed, supported, and connected. It’s about building a culture that helps people thrive and want to be there.
Why are companies pushing for a return?
Many leaders argue that in-person work boosts:
- Productivity
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Mentorship
- Ultimately, profitability
JPMorgan Chase, WPP, and IKEA have all cited culture and productivity as reasons for their mandates.
But the backlash is real. Employees are pushing back, signing petitions, and in some cases, walking away from companies that don’t offer flexibility.
The truth? People don’t want to return to the office just to sit in silence on Zoom calls. They want purpose. They want connection. They want to feel like their time and their presence matter. They want to know that getting up two hours earlier and spending time and money commuting is actually a valuable investment. For millions of remote workers, this is their reality.
Mixing returning to office and a healthy culture
Make your workplace a place where your employees want to be. That starts with small, meaningful changes that support wellbeing and connection.
To help, we’ve created a free pack of motivational posters designed to inspire healthier habits around the office. These aren’t your typical corporate clichés. They’re bold, and designed to spark real behavior change, whether it’s encouraging movement, mindfulness, or simply reminding people to take a breath.
Put them up in break rooms, hallways, bathrooms, water coolers, elevators, or anywhere your teams frequent and/or gather.
Show your employees that you’re not just asking them to return, you’re welcoming them back, and you want them to trust your intentions.
Because if you’re going to bring people back, you need to get them excited about swapping virtual meetings for in-person meetings again. At Personify Health, we love walking meetings. Nothing gets creativity and collaboration flowing like walking, talking, and strengthening social connections!
Why visual cues matter in workplace wellbeing
Behavioral science tells us that small, consistent nudges can lead to big changes. Visual prompts, like motivational posters, are a proven way to reinforce healthy habits without feeling intrusive. They work because:
- They’re always visible: A quick glance can remind someone to take a stretch break or drink water
- They normalize positive behaviors: When wellbeing messages are part of the environment, they become part of the culture
- They spark micro-moments of mindfulness: A simple phrase can interrupt stress and help employees reset. And spark conversation amongst colleagues too, which boosts connection & culture
How to use posters strategically
Don’t just hang them randomly – place them where they’ll have the most impact:
- Break rooms → Encourage hydration and healthy snacking
- Near elevators and stairwells → Promote movement and energy breaks, with our “Stairs: free gym, zero wait time” poster
- Meeting rooms → Remind teams to pause and breathe before discussions
- Hallways and entry points → Reinforce a welcoming, human-first culture
- Bathrooms → Wellbeing reminders in a place where people actually have time to read, pause, and reflect
Pro tip: Rotate posters every few weeks to keep the message fresh and engaging. You don’t want them to blend into the background.
Turns your posters into a cultural movement
Posters work best when they’re part of a broader wellbeing strategy. Pair them with:
- A digital health & wellbeing solution
- Employee health webinars/resource hubs
- Company benefits like: reduced gym memberships, EAPs
- Walking meetings or “movement breaks”
- Mindfulness sessions or quiet zones
- Hydration stations and healthy snack options
Show employees that these visuals are signals of a workplace that truly cares about employee health & wellbeing.
Ready to make your workplace worth coming back to?
Download our free motivational poster pack and start transforming your office into a space that inspires health, connection, and trust.
