Dear Office Culture Cathy,

COVID-19 saw a global shift in the way we all work. Gone are the days of packed office cubicles and crowded lunchrooms – the majority of us are now used to working from home. But as we get a handle on the COVID-19 crisis, many things are starting to return to some semblance of normal. One of those things? Office work.

Many companies are making the long-awaited shift back to in-office work for their employees. But as transitions go, this isn’t necessarily an easy one. Humans are creatures of habit and we’ve all gotten used to working in our PJs.

As employers, you want to ensure your shift back to in-office work is as smooth as possible. But how exactly can you mitigate the hurdles associated with such a change? Here are a few ways you can help your team transition back to in-office work.

Give them time to adjust

We all had to shift to working from home quite rapidly, but that doesn’t mean you should rush the transition back. On the contrary, you should give your workers time to adjust to their new (old) normal.

Stagger the return wherever possible. Start small – perhaps one day a week in the office at first – and work your way up from there. The key is to mitigate culture shock.

Give them a say in the transition

Communication is the cornerstone of a successful working relationship and it goes both ways. When bringing your team back into the office, give them a say in how best to make the transition. Don’t just mandate a schedule and tell them to jump. This will lead to discomfort or even resentment.

Schedule one-on-one meetings with your employees and ask for their input on the proposed change. Listen to them and take their feedback on board. It’s essential that your employees feel comfortable and heard as you make the transition back to in-office work.

Back up your reasoning with data

There’s a lot to be said for working from home, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily what’s best for your employees or your company. Do your research into the benefits of office environments and make sure to communicate that data effectively to your employees. They’ll feel a lot happier about the change if there’s logical reasoning behind the decision.

Have a bespoke transition plan

Every company is different so each approach to in-office working should be too. Don’t just wholesale copy the transition plan of another company. Take the time to design your own bespoke plan based on the needs of the organization and your employees.

Prioritize safety

COVID-19 has changed the way in which we live. Factors like social distancing have made the way we return to the office a very different affair to pre-COVID conditions.

When making the shift back to in-office work, ensure you’re prioritizing the safety of your employees. Have a COVID-safe plan in place and ensure it’s accessible and up-to-date. If in doubt, follow the directives of any relevant health officials.

In-office work is important

Transitioning your team back to in-office work is an important step towards a global recovery. Now you have a few tricks up your sleeve to ensure your own transition is as smooth as possible.

Sincerely,
Jenny