While COVID-19 is still here, 50% of business owners are ready to bring their employees back into the office full-time. Are you one of them?
You have to be careful with your return to the office. You can’t just notify your employees on the day of their expected return and expect things to go smoothly.
We’re here to help. Read on to learn a few tips for how to make your employees’ return to the office easier.
Start With a Plan
Too many employers get overzealous when it’s time to return to the office, and they forget that they need to make a smooth transition process.
You want to start planning months ahead of time. If this is your first time considering a return to the office, you need to give your employees an appropriate warning now so they can prepare to get back to work.
Pre-planning will also allow you to apply for any potential financial help and adjust to post-COVID changes.
Consider a Hybrid Model
For many employers, an actual return to the office for all of the employees isn’t necessary. It may not be the most financially viable choice, and it might not make your employees want to remain with your business.
Consider which employees actually need to be in the office to work efficiently. Are you able to put people on alternating schedules? Is it possible for you to downsize your office to save money and keep your employees happier?
Introducing a hybrid model will make your employee retention credit go further (see more about the credit on erctoday.com) because you’ll be spending less money on the actual office.
Communicate With Your Employees
Regardless of whether or not you’re able to do an effective hybrid model, you should be communicating with your employees and welcoming feedback and ideas.
Remember that your employees likely have mixed feelings about returning to the workplace. Some of them may be excited about the idea of having a dedicated workspace and other employees around, while others preferred the ability to work from home.
You may have some health-conscious employees who are still nervous about the threat of COVID-19, especially if they or someone they live with has a poor immune system.
Do your best to listen (and respond) to all of your employees’ concerns. Consider asking them for their ideas about the return to the office and ask what they’d like to see in the coming months.
Focus on Interpersonal Connections
One of the top benefits of returning to the office is the chance to get social at work again. Zoom calls are no replacement for real-life chats in the breakroom, and you can use that to your advantage.
Consider re-working your office with interpersonal connections in mind. Offer flexible seating, an engaging break area, and plenty of pod seating options so your employees can enjoy each others’ company.
Don’t worry; making connections in the workplace can actually lead to workplace collaboration and better office productivity, not just time-wasting.
Make the Return to the Office Smooth
The return to the office is going to be a challenge, but with enough planning and communication, you and your employees will be happily coexisting again soon. Good luck!
For more helpful articles about the top trending topics in business and more, visit the rest of the site.