Going back to the office after a long break can be overwhelming. Having the right preparation and understanding of what to expect can help make the transition easier. Find out our tips for a smooth return to the office here, from reconnecting with your team, dealing with anxiety and stress, to staying productive while working remotely.
Essential Steps in Crafting Your Return to Office Strategy
Consider the needs and opinions of your employees
When planning for a return to the workplace, it’s important to prioritize the well-being and concerns of your employees. Research demonstrated that employees who feel appreciated would be more likely to stay with their organization. Consider sending out surveys to gauge the thoughts and feelings of your staff on returning back to the office. You may want to conduct a survey that asks questions like:
- What would make coming back more attractive for you?
- What new elements could be added to enhance the office environment?
- What long-term strategies does our organization need in order to retain employees?
Gathering data in this way can give you insight into your employees’ feelings and help you plan for an effective reopening.
Establish a strategy based on employees’ feedback
Prior to making any announcements or decisions concerning a return to the office, companies should first survey their employees with regard to returning. With this survey, companies can:
- gain more insight into employee preference in remote versus on-site work
- recognize any discrepancies between what employees and leadership desire
- ascertain any worries or roadblocks present for workers
- find out what individuals need from the company to be successful in either setting
- determine how much flexibility the staff want
In addition, a culture survey should be administered to assess people’s feelings toward the physical office or workplace environment. All discoveries from this poll must direct decisions, communication, and addressing employee concerns throughout the return-to-office process. Suppose there is a huge difference between your opinions and that of your employees. In that case, it is immensely important to address all concerns cautiously in order not to upset great numbers of people within your team.
Have a transparent, honest, and consistent communication
When it comes to returning to the office, communication is absolutely key. Be sure to let your employees know exactly why it’s time for them to head back in, what the benefits are for them, and be clear about who is involved in the decision-making process. Additionally, after you’ve conducted your “readiness to return to office” survey, share the results with your team as a reminder that their feedback was taken into consideration before making any decisions.
It should be clear who will be impacted by the decision and explain how it aligns with the company’s mission, vision, and goals. If hybrid or alternative work policies are implemented in conjunction with the return plan, companies should have written policies that establish expectations, rules, and restrictions to ensure consistency. Additionally, employers should clearly define their purpose for returning employees to the office.
Explain how the return-to-office mentality supports and aligns with the vision, mission, values, and goals of the company. Introduce any flexibility options you’ll be offering in addition to returning to work, such as hybrid or alternative work schedules. Outline the benefits for both employees and the company as a whole by making this switch. Additionally, make sure to let employees know who they should contact if they have additional questions or concerns about this change.
Design an office space fit for working comfortably
When considering a return to the office, it is important to ask yourself if employees would feel comfortable returning. Does the workplace look welcoming and warm? Are there enough meeting spaces and social areas to accommodate everyone? Details like wall color, furniture, and design play an important role in creating a space that people enjoy working in. To ensure different vibes are available, add couches and coffee tables for relaxed conversations, while high bench tops in the kitchen area can provide quick opportunities for staff to connect with each other.
Make sure the workspace technology is up to date and fast
Ensuring a successful return to the office means providing an optimal workspace for your employees. According to survey, slow or outdated technology would be a ‘dealbreaker’ when deciding whether to stay at home or go back into the office. To prevent this, ensure you have the right workplace technology in place to automate tedious tasks, manage workflows and connect systems and software in order to create the best possible experience.
Returning to the office should also be made as contactless as possible. To do this, organizations can set up biometrics at the entrance that employees can use to digitally check-in and check-out without having to physically swipe cards or register their names in notebooks. This will minimize contact and help ensure a safe work environment.
Start your return-to-office policy slowly and steadily
When transitioning from remote work to an office setting, a gradual approach might be helpful in making the change smoother. Consider starting with a policy that has employees coming back to the office two days a week and gradually increasing it as the team becomes more acclimated. This allows time for people to adapt and become used to the new way of working, though understanding the worries and concerns expressed by employees should always remain a priority before implementing any returning-to-office plans.
Implement COVID Compliance Checklist
In order to return to their workplace, employees must fill out a COVID compliance checklist first. This questionnaire will ask important questions such as:
- if the employee has gotten the vaccine
- if they have ever contracted COVID-19
- whether or not they are currently experiencing any symptoms of the virus
- how severe those symptoms are
- lastly, an option to upload any necessary documents for verification
Offer Flexibility
Returning to the office in the post-pandemic world can be made easier for your team if you offer some flexibility during office hours. Allowing employees to take care of necessary tasks or errands during the day, as well as make necessary arrangements to allow them to look after their children, pets or other responsibilities will help them properly and effectively transition back into an office setting. Offering these types of working styles to your team can reap long-term rewards for your organization.
Return To Office Tips Every Employee Should Know
Give Yourself Time to Adapt
As you return to the office, give yourself permission to slowly adjust to your new routine. Don’t feel like you have to jump right back in the moment you walk through the doors! Take the time needed to re-familiarise yourself with procedures and protocols, and use this opportunity to reconnect with your colleagues. Give yourself a break when needed, and be patient – returning after a long break can take some getting used to!
Get all your questions answered beforehand
Speak with your supervisor first and ask them about the company’s plans for bringing employees back. If there are any aspects that you don’t understand, let them know and request for further information. Failing that, turn to HR representative for deeper understanding of the company policy on returning to the office. Alternatively, an executive-level contact could also provide valuable insight.
If the return to office is causing stress or anxiety, it is important for employers to know what the individual’s needs may be. This can include mental and physical health concerns, as well as apprehensions about changes in policy. As a vaccinated employee, it is valid to take your time with coming back to the workspace. To help relieve any unease, knowing exactly what you can expect when returning may help ease some of the unpredictability.
See if You Can Work Out a Plan That Supports Return-to-office
If you are concerned about making a sudden return to the office, consider proposing a plan for an adjusted schedule. You could suggest coming in for partial days or certain days of the week to ease back into the office environment and manage any anxiety that may come with returning. When discussing plans with your employer, try to clearly articulate what aspects of the transition are most concerning to you, and provide different scheduling options as a way of balancing your needs as well as those of the job. Additionally, many leaders have begun to recognize the potential benefits of a remote workplace; if you are interested in developing different long-term arrangements, try advocating for a hybrid work schedule or permanently remote setup.
Consider refreshing or revising your pre-pandemic daily routines
Making the transition to an in-person work environment again requires revisiting (and revising) your old daily rituals. Before heading back to the office, prep by setting the alarm and waking up when you would normally if you were commuting. No matter how relaxed your office dress code is, experiment with what clothes make you feel most comfortable and confident in, laying out pieces at night so that all you have to do on the day is put it all together. The more detailed preparations like this you can do prior to set that big day as smoothly as possible.
Begin by assessing your current routine and optimizing it where necessary. For instance, if you’d like to avoid hitting snooze too often or would prefer to incorporate a walk into your commute, make these changes now! Additionally, remember to take things slow as you adjust to the new work environment.
Re-familiarize Yourself With Company Policies and Procedures.
Returning to the office after a long break can be confusing, especially if there have been changes made to policies and procedures. Taking the time to re-familiarize yourself with these will ensure that you feel comfortable and confident with your responsibilities when you’re back in the office. Check out any new developments and resources on the company intranet or reach out to your Human Resources department for further clarification.
Set boundaries
For many, the transition back to office work will be a welcome move after months of working from home. It is important to establish clear boundaries between your professional and personal life in order to remain productive and protect your mental health. Consider the best methods for communication with your colleagues, when you are available to respond to emails and how often check-in meetings should occur. Arrange these factors with your employer so that you can evaluate them periodically and make adjustments as needed.
As returning to the office becomes more and more likely, it’s important to prepare ourselves for the transition. This includes thinking about our sensory comfort level when surrounded by a lot of people at once. If all staff members are returning at once, try to build in time for “admin breaks” or sensory breaks into your day. Take a few minutes outside or away from your desk to practice breathing exercises, stretching, or meditation to reset and refocus.
Use this as an opportunity to make changes that will lead to greater job satisfaction
Consider what aspects of returning to work bring up feelings of dread and see if any can be addressed now – from major issues such as increased recognition within the team, to small details such as desk location or roles in meetings. The pandemic has given people the chance reflect on their working lives, seeing which elements they enjoy and which they do not. Now is the perfect time to adjust things in order to create a workplace environment that works for you and brings more contentment.
it is important that you discuss this decision with your supervisor or Human Resources department. Clearly articulate what you would like and provide a valid argument for why you believe they should agree to your request. For example, if you need more quiet to effectively complete time-sensitive tasks, explain why moving your desk to a different location could help achieve this goal. Only make one or two requests at a time and prioritize those that will have the largest impact for you.
Be Gentle With Yourself
Preparing to return to your office for the first time in a while may have you feeling anxious. Don’t worry – everyone else is probably in the same boat. Take comfort knowing that if any conversations with colleagues don’t go as well as you would have liked, there is likely no need to fret – mistakes are part of the growth process, and this global pandemic has been absolutely draining. When possible, talk openly and honestly about your stress with others. Most importantly, remember that what you’re doing is enough, and your best is all you can do right now.
Seek the help of mental health professionals
Navigating the return to the workplace after a prolonged period of remote working can present many challenges. Although it is normal to experience stress while transitioning back, it is also important to find ways to cope with any negative feelings and manage potential anxiety triggers. Seeking professional help might be beneficial in helping make the transition smoother. Speaking to a mental health professional can provide a non-judgmental space for discussing concerns without fear of consequence or reprisal from colleagues, supervisors or managers.