Many Employees returning to the office after leaving for family, personal, holidays, or simply due to COVID-related quarantines. While returning to work can be exciting and refreshing, it can also be a little intimidating for many. They again need to rush to the office early in the morning, work from 9 to 5 under constant supervision and have limited breaks.
All of this can be stressful for some employees and it is your responsibility as their manager to ensure a smooth transition for them. This article provides tips on how to help employees adjust to returning to work. It covers things like adapting office settings and policies, providing transition support, and providing resources to help employees feel energized and ready to start the day. So, let’s begin:
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7 practical tips on Employees returning to the office as comfortable as possible
1. Make your office environment as comfortable as possible:
Creating an environment conducive to the return of employees is essential for a smooth transition. Here are some tips that might help:
- Above all, create a positive, reward-based work culture that encourages employees to succeed. This will help motivate them to come to the office every day and be productive.
- Making sure your office space is clean, organized, and bright will help reduce distractions and stress, and increase your focus.
- Encourage employees to take time off when they need it and provide flexible working hours. This will allow them to balance work and personal life in a healthy way. Do this for at least the first few weeks so they can adjust their schedule so they don’t have to do personal things during work hours.
- From comfortable chairs to well-equipped kitchenettes, give your employees the resources and tools they need to be productive. This will help them relax in the office and adapt quickly.
2. Help them re-experience office culture
It’s great to be back in the office after a long break, but getting back on track can be tricky. To help them get reacquainted with the office culture, welcome party/event. This will help everyone to get to know each other again and establish communication channels between employees and managers.
Be clear about your expectations so everyone knows what kind of performance you need. Above all, make sure everyone is having fun while they’re back at work!
3. Constructively criticize the work of employees during remote work.
Remote work has its challenges, and one of them is being too comfortable in their home environment, which reduces their productivity. Therefore, it is important to provide employees with feedback and criticism during their remote work.
This way they can understand the areas they need to improve and the tools they can use to do so. Let them know that you are available any time they need you and help them overcome any problems they may face after returning to the office.
4. Pay attention to the psychological impact of returning to work
It is understandable that your employees are very emotional returning to work after a long break. Here are some practical tips on how best to support them during this transition:
- Make sure you acknowledge their return and the hard work they have put in to adjust to the return.
- Offer them the support they need to make their daily routine easier. This may include arranging at least one session with your company or an outside workplace therapist.
- Express your sincere appreciation for their hard work and dedication by providing generous perks and bonuses.
5. Encourage breaks and time to unwind
As a boss, it’s important to make sure your employees have the opportunity to relax and unwind. This will help them avoid burnout, perform better, and be more productive in the long run. It is also very important to make your workplace comfortable and aesthetic so that employees feel at ease and do not experience stress.
Also, encourage employees to report any issues or concerns they may have to you. This will help you solve them quickly and efficiently. Help them create a work-life balance so they can come to the office relaxed and motivated without feeling overwhelmed or guilty.
6. Set ground rules for behavior on and off the job
It is important to have clear expectations about behavior both on and off the job. This way everyone can understand the parameters of acceptable behavior and know where they are. Employees may become too comfortable working from home to be casual about the office environment as well.
This can lead to sloppy dress codes, inappropriate behavior, inappropriate jokes with other employees, and procrastination. They can do all this at home without supervision. However, for the workplace, you need to set rules to prevent this from happening in the office.
7. Encourage Team Building
This is one of the best ways to hone your teamwork skills. When employees are away for long periods of time, they may develop hesitation in communicating effectively with each other, especially with your introverted employees.
Involving them in team building activities will help them work together more effectively and develop teamwork skills. In addition, fun events and activities can create a positive work environment that will help employees adjust to it faster.
Let’s invite your employees to the best workplace!
It’s always nice when employees return to work after a break, but it’s even better when the workplace is comfortable and pleasant. In this blog, we have outlined some suggestions that can help create such an environment.
From creating a positive work-life balance to creating a healthy work culture, these seven practical tips will help your employees feel at home again.
