If your business has decided that a return to the office is essential, there is a lot to prepare to make sure employees are ready to return. Staff need to feel safe and comfortable returning, and you need to be prepared for a transition period as people get used to being in the office again and having to work with the rhythms and challenges of office life. If you’re a manager, try these tips to make the return as smooth as possible.
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Communicate Early And Often About Plans To Return To The Office
Make sure you prepare people for their return to the office with regular communication about the plan. Keep in mind that many people are still very worried about office life, and will need some time to adjust. Give people plenty of notice too, so they can arrange things like childcare, travel passes, and other things they may need in order to return.
Give Specific Time Frames
Make sure that everybody knows exactly when the process of coming back to the office will start. Give clear timeframes to help alleviate some of the mental load on your employee’s that uncertainty will put on them.
Think About How Productivity Can Be Different For Different People
What an employee will want from returning to the office will depend on their job responsibilities as well as their individual needs and personality. Some people really thrive in a collaborative office environment, whereas others have learned they work much better uninterrupted at home.
Working on synched up schedule can help those in the office and those at home to coordinate their work better, but it can also bring in constant communication and the potential for interruptions that can cause disruptions to focus. Managers might need to adjust schedules, as well as think about where people will work.
Innovate With All
Some of your team could be quick to put the onus on their managers to make all the decisions, but actually, this can be an opportunity to practice innovation and collaboration. As a manager, give people options and guidelines to decide what works best for them, whether it’s ways of working or a new Office Furniture Supplier to refit the office to comply with social distancing.
Reflect On Fairness And Inclusivity
Being fair should always be a priority. During this transition, concerns about favouritism are likely to come up, and people may worry about being treated unfairly.
Think about how promotions are distributed among those in the office and those working remotely. What is your process for promotions and other areas that could cause issues with a hybrid workplace?
Build In Flexibility
The pandemic is still going on, and outbreaks will continue. Be ready to pivot again, just in case, and prepare to be flexible.
Commit To Ongoing Evaluation And Assessment
Ask your employees about their experience so the business can respond promptly to support their changing needs. For a clear and nuanced insight, employee surveys can help you to get to the heart of any issues and encourage honest feedback.
