Psychology and behavioral economics professor Dan Ariely answers some big questions about how the U.S. will return to work. He suggests that it may take time for many to get comfortable coming back to an office due to health concerns, as well as changed lives. However, he predicts that the lack of social interaction experienced during this period will encourage more in-person work. Watch the video to find out more.

A recent surge in Covid-19 cases due to the delta variant is reigniting discussion on return-to-work across the country. With Apple and Alphabet postponing their return-to-work plans until October, companies and employees are reevaluating whether they want to return to the office.

Continued safety and health concerns even before the surge in new Covid cases suggest it will take time for workers to be comfortable coming back to an office. But eventually, says Duke University behavioral economics and psychology professor Dan Ariely, when it is safe to do so, workers will want to be back in the office more than they think.

“In general, when people are stressed, anxious and worried, this is not the time to expect people to be reflective and understand their own motives in the best possible way,” Ariely said.

After facing a year filled with uncertainty, the human behavior expert says now might not be the best time for workers to make definitive decisions about coming back to the office but, eventually, when the time is right to make decisions on returning to work, workers may surprise themselves.

Return to in-person work on a trial basis

Even though plans were pushed back, many companies like Apple and Google are designing hybrid work models, requiring employees to return to a shortened work week rather than a full five-day week, though the flexibility in each company’s hybrid model does vary.

Whatever the model is, Ariely recommends companies at first provide a trial period for return to the office, instead of forcing employees into a permanent return-to-work plan. He says companies should offer employees shortened work weeks for a specific amount of time, and after that time, employees can decide to work more days per week.

Ariely thinks this will result in more workers choosing to work in person.

“Going back is just a difficult step,” Ariely said. “But if we get people to do it, for even a month or two, I think people will be very different at the end of this period.”

Many people are frightened about returning to work, while others have just grown comfortable working remotely, and Ariely says people need to try out new things before making permanent decisions. He compared a trial plan for returning to work with purchasing a new mattress.

“If you go to a mattress store, you can imagine what the mattress feels like and you can lay on it for five minutes,” Ariely said. “But to really experience it, you need to use the mattress for a month to understand how it is.”

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Why You'll Be In The Office More Than You Think: Dan Ariely