Back to Work: Another New Normal

How to Help Your Employees Get Back to Work and Adjust to Any New Workplace Changes

After months of facing the obstacles of the pandemic, it’s time to return to the workplace. This introduces new challenges for employees and employers alike. 

Learning how to navigate these changes effectively will take some adjustment for most organizations. Here are some of PEX’s best practices for welcoming back workers into the office and ways to make your own experience more manageable.

Learn how PEX can help your back to work transition

1. Weigh the Pros and Cons 

While many companies found themselves unprepared for the COVID shut down, the past year and a half has given everyone time to adapt to a remote environment, and in some cases, improve. So while the natural move may seem to begin with returning to the office, or the pre-pandemic way of life, ask yourself (and your employees) if it’s necessary.

Many employees report having higher job satisfaction and a better work-life balance when given the opportunity to work from home. Cutting out commute times, and allowing for a more flexible schedule can help with productivity and creativity. 

Some organizations may find that their operation runs well, or even better when employees are able to work remotely.  Remote work has also allowed many organizations to reduce some of their operational costs, such as rent, electricity, and other office-related expenses. Additionally, remote work gives organizations access to a nationwide candidate pool.

2. Prioritize The Wellbeing of Employees

 Employees help an organization succeed. It’s important that the changes and policies being implemented are supporting the mental and physical well-being of your company’s employees. 

Before creating back-to-office rules, conduct employee surveys to get a gauge on concerns and priorities. If concerns about childcare or commuting arise- companies can consider offering flex hours or hybrid work schedules.  Efforts must be made to address what changes should occur to make everyone comfortable during this adjustment.

3. Stagger & Screen Returning Employees

Reserving office time, creating calendars, and organizing schedules will help everyone prepare. This gives employees peace of mind by not having to work in a crowded environment, while also allowing for workers to continue maintaining social distance. Easing the flow of employee returns will help reduce the stress associated with being required to re-adapt to a full-time in-office schedule. 

Keep employees safe and your environment clean by having employees self-report any symptoms. Creating a vaccination or testing policy can also ease employee apprehension.

4. Emphasize Your Office Culture 

The recent job market has been one of the fastest moving in recent times, as many companies are starting to rehire. If your company has hired during the months spent working at home, there’s a good chance many of your new hires have yet to meet in person.

Companies can also plan events for staff to mingle in a casual, safe, and friendly setting. This can help strengthen relationships between coworkers and teams, or in some cases, form for the first time. 

Let PEX help you as you prepare your office and employees for any new policies. Whether it’s buying more cleaning supplies or restocking vacant offices, we can help keep your employee and corporate spending in line.