Conversations around office life are back in the news once again. Recently, Premier Doug Ford encouraged Ontario municipalities to end remote or hybrid work arrangements and return to five-day, on-site schedules. While this has some organizations thinking about their own workplace policies, we at RLB have no plans to shift from being a fully hybrid firm.

Why We’re Committed to Hybrid Work

Our decision for maintaining a hybrid workforce is rooted deeply in our #PeopleCount philosophy. In recent years, we’ve seen our team thrive with the flexibility to work from home, collaborate in person when it adds value, and find the balance that lets them do their best work.

Hybrid work has allowed us to attract top talent from a broader geographic area, retain experienced professionals who value work-life integration, maintain productivity while supporting our team’s diverse needs, and reduce overhead costs that we can reinvest in our people and technology.

Putting Pen to Paper

RLB began discussing possible remote and hybrid work before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the decision on the majority of the world. By the time we were facing the isolation order, it took our firm just 24 hours to transition to a fully remote workforce. Since then, we have readily embraced the flexibility and freedom that hybrid work offers our people. In fact, we’ve seen so much success and engagement regarding remote work that it has become a cornerstone of our firm culture. By embedding hybrid work privileges into our employment contracts, we’ve making a bold statement to our team members and employment candidates. We trust our people, and we’re committed to supporting the way they work best. It’s a fundamental part of how we support our team.

For potential team members considering their next career move, this stance means certainty. At RLB, you won’t have to worry about a sudden mandate to return to the office full-time. You can plan your life knowing that flexibility is part of your employment agreement.

Flexibility & Peace of Mind

We understand that our team members have full lives and responsibilities outside of work. By offering the flexibility to work remotely when needed, we help them find the balance that works best for them. Whether it’s managing appointments, familial responsibilities, or personal health, eliminating the stress of commuting allows our people to focus on what matters most. When we trust and support our team in this way, they can show up fully for our clients, delivering exceptional service from wherever they are, while still having the time and space to manage their lives.

A Renewed Commitment

While others debate the merits of return-to-office mandates, at RLB, we’re focused on what matters most: delivering exceptional results for our clients while creating an environment where our team can thrive. Sometimes that happens around a conference table, sometimes it happens from a home office, and often it’s a combination of both.

We believe the future of work isn’t about where you sit. It’s about what you accomplish and how well you serve your clients, colleagues and communities. That’s a principle we’re proud to put in writing.