Back To Office After Working From Home

Back To Office After Working From Home

Tips on returning to work after working from home.

After working from home for so long, returning to the office can feel overwhelming. Going back to the workplace may create anxiety, worrying about if you will be able to cope or what colleagues may think. Transitioning back to in-person work isn’t the ideal scenario for some.

Did you know that workers in a Forbes survey, 41% of people stated that they want to be fully remote? However, with many companies now opting for a return to the building, there is a lot of staff that are dreading the day.

But what should I do if I’m concerned about safety measures in the workplace? How should I prepare for my first day back in the office? How can I stay well and productive in this new routine?

Many people are asking these questions, so this is why we created this article. We will guide and advise you on how to ease back into the workplace. So, let’s get started.

What Should I Do If I’m Worried About Safety Measures At Work?

Under the law, your workplace must ensure the safety and well-being of all employees. To comply with current guidelines, Covid risk assessments should be completed, as well as assuring steps are taken to prevent transmissions such as social distancing and frequent cleaning.

Masks are currently not mandatory in enclosed spaces, however, employers can enforce their own rules and policies to require workers or customers to wear masks.

If you have concerns or issues about current workplace safety measures, we recommend trying to resolve the issue with your employer before reporting the company to the Health and Safety Executive.

Tips For Preparing To Return To Work

So, the date for the return is looming over like a dark cloud and anxiety is high. Don’t worry, this is normal and there will be plenty of others who feel the same. Below are some tips to help make the transition a bit easier.

Try and get some company newsStaff newsletters could be a great way to stay up to date with workplace events. Ask to be put on a mailing list, or if there isn’t yet a newsletter, ask your HR team if they could create one. It could boost workplace morale.
Plan a pre work visitAfter being away for so long, you may have forgotten the ins and outs of the space. To re-familiarise yourself, an idea could be to pop in for an informal visit to greet colleagues and staff again.
Reach out to colleaguesIf you have missed your friends from work, it may be helpful to arrange a call or video chat with them. Even as much as an email can go a long way to help relieve the stress of going back to the office. You may find they feel the same way, putting you at ease.
Peer supportThe company may offer peer support services. You can share your experiences with those in your team to make you feel less lonely. There are also online communities such as Mind’s Side by Side where you can discuss your mental health without judgement.
Arrange a welcome meetingFor those feeling nervous about the return, you could ask a colleague or manager to meet you outside the building when you arrive. This may avoid the overwhelming entry of being alone in a busy work environment. Ask for someone you trust to make you feel more comfortable.
Gradual returnRather than going straight back to normal hours, speak to your manager about the opportunity of a gradual return to office life. Also known as a ‘phased return’, you could work part-time hours or come in on certain days to adjust your schedule back to normal.
Alter working hoursIn the weeks leading up to going back, try to treat your days as though you were heading in to work. This means waking up and going to bed at the times you would if working in the building. This creates a routine so you don’t get thrown off when you do return.

Tips On How To Control “Back to the Office” Nerves

To help with the transition to in-person work, there are some steps you can take to ease the process. Firstly, try to identify your anxiety, understanding how you really feel about returning to the office.

Is this frustration, anger, nervousness, frustration or a mixture? By figuring out your feelings, your emotional experience can be better regulated.

Then, consider when you feel like your energy is most depleted. New protocols and procedures may zap your mental energy, leaving you more anxious and nervous. Try and shift your time towards things that make you happy, prioritising self-care for yourself.

Think about these three points to consider:

  •  Things you can control – such as: what to drink when to read when to take more rest etc.
  •  Things you can influence – such as: asking others to be mindful of health protocols, speaking to your manager about more time to rest etc.
  •  Things that aren’t in your control – the weather, if your bus will come on time etc.

Recognise that some things aren’t in your control and are outside of your limits. These are areas where you can save your energy, placing them on things you can control or influence.

Tips On Mental Health After Returning To Work

Now that you’re back into the swing of things, you may begin to feel better about your new routine. If you’re ever in need of support, speak with your manager for help and guidance. For tips on how to maintain your mental health after returning to work, check out the table below.

Catch upsYou should try and maintain regular catch ups with your manager to discuss how you’re feeling and getting on. They may be able to advise on ways they can help when things are difficult.
Wellness action planA wellness action plan will set out guidelines for dealing with difficulties. For those returning to work but still working from home, there is a WAP home working guide.
SchedulingFor your first few weeks back, talk to your manager about creating a schedule. This will contain a plan of what you’ll be doing, where it will be and what to expect. Anything that you’ve missed while being at home can be caught up on at a later date.
Specialist supportYour employer might be able to offer specialist support services that could be extremely beneficial. Services like occupational health or an employee assistance programme (EAP) may be available, so ask your HR department or manager for more details.

Reducing Risk Of Burnout When Returning To The Office

As employees return to the office, burnout may become more likely among colleagues. After spending so much time at home with plenty of changes and isolation, the new routine can be overwhelming. So, how can you reduce this risk? Below are some helpful tips.

Recovery periods

Sometimes, to prevent burnout you may have to take drastic measures. This could be company-wide paid time off as LinkedIn has done. They gave all 16,000 employees an entire week of vacation to provide a much-needed break.

To reduce the long-term impacts of burnout, these costly actions will likely outweigh the short-term loss when allowing workers more time off. When morale and productivity levels are low, a break can bring back more energised and productive staff.

Easing back in

To make up for the lost time, many companies may increase productivity levels. However, after being in isolation for so long, it is a good idea to set a slow pace and allow everyone to build up their routines.

Some may feel out of practice when socialising among a larger group of colleagues and it can be emotionally exhausting to relearn these social skills. An idea would be to begin with smaller group meetings and ask staff to share their boundaries, helping to create rules that respect them.

Team bonding

Teamwork is key and to enable a positive return, you need everyone to feel safe and supported on their return. To help morale and boost trust, create opportunities where staff can share their experiences, reflecting on recent times.

Don’t just have this as a one-off occasion, you could use this as a quarterly exercise for people to open up, improving your company. It will create a sense of community and connectedness around the workplace.

What Are Options If I’m Uncomfortable About Using Public Transport For Work?

As an employer, there is a duty to care for employees, however, there is a limit to things they can control. In this instance, your employer should take your concerns and worries seriously and listen to your needs.

By speaking to your manager, you may come to an agreement that suits both you and the business. This could be travelling to work at quieter times of the day or spending more time working from home. But firstly, you will need to speak up and raise the issue.