With COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations decreasing and vaccination rates rising, many states and localities are giving the green light for companies to return to the office. If you're preparing to reopen your office in the pandemic "new normal", keep the following things in mind to make the transition as smooth and safe as possible.
1. Everyone Has Been Through Something
Coronavirus impacted each and every one of your employees' lives over the last year. Many people are now dealing with symptoms of anxiety and depression for the first time, and you are likely to receive mixed reactions to the news that you want your team to return to work. Listen when employees express concerns and foster an environment where everyone feels safe to discuss their feelings. Providing access to mental health support can also help employees manage stress and work through COVID-related trauma.
2. Flexibility Is Key
Employees with vulnerable family members may not feel safe returning to work, and others may find it hard to go back to the usual office grind because their partners or children are still being impacted by coronavirus shutdowns. Being flexible can help you retain these individuals. You may even want to consider a phased reopening that allows employees eager to get back to the office to return before the rest. Not only will this benefit morale, but it will also make implementing safety policies simpler.
3. Safety Precautions Are Still Necessary
Don't be lulled into complacency by recent good news surrounding COVID-19. The virus is still out there, and new more aggressive strains have reached the United States. That means good hand hygiene, wearing masks and social distancing are still essential for you and your employees. Experts caution that even those who are vaccinated still need to follow coronavirus health guidance, as it is unknown whether they can still spread the virus to others.
4. Straightforward, Consistent Messaging Is the Most Successful
Communicate your new health safety policies as clearly and concisely as possible, and make sure that your employee handbook is updated to reflect the new rules and procedures. Engage all members of your management team to ensure that everyone is sending the same message. Set the expectation that everyone in a supervisory role will enforce policies, regardless of their own politics and opinions surrounding the pandemic.
5. All Eyes Will Be on You
Lead by example. Make sure that you follow all of the new guidelines yourself. If you don't buy in, your team won't either. To make the "new normal" work, everyone we will need to be on board, and do their part.
6. You Will Likely Need to Rethink Your Space
Most offices were not socially distanced prior to the pandemic, so there is a good chance that you will need to rearrange your space before it is safe for employees to return. Keep desks six feet apart and install barriers in open work areas. Consider having some employees in shared space relocate to enclosed offices if possible. Think about how traffic flows through the office and create new pathways to reduce congestion. If your office was already cramped prior to the pandemic, you may need to opt for a hybrid work schedule with employees working in person on certain days and staying home on others.
7. Expert Advice Changes Over Time
There is still a lot that we don't know about COVID-19. As the science evolves, advice regarding best practices for slowing the spread and keeping employees healthy will change. Make sure that you stay abreast of the latest news and that you update your policies as needed.
Wondering where to begin?
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