8 Ways To Make Employees Feel At Ease when they Return To Work

Employees will begin to return to the office as vaccination rates rise and Covid-19 cases decline. However, when it comes to working, the pandemic altered expectations. Your employees want to return to a different kind of workplace, one that is clean and safe.

If your company is returning employees to their desks, there are some steps you can take to make them feel more at ease. These suggestions will assist your leaders in creating a safe workplace environment for returning employees.

Clean frequently

Employees will feel more at ease in a clean office environment as they transition from remote work. And this isn't just about tidying up. Cleaning shared surfaces should be done regularly.

Throughout the day, wipe down surfaces such as door handles, conference tables, and kitchen counters. Clean the bathrooms daily (or more often if needed). It's also a good idea to keep extra sanitising wipes on hand, so employees can wipe down surfaces as needed.

To kill germs and freshen the office space, you can also steam clean hard floors, shampoo carpets, and clean furniture upholstery. These precautions will ensure both cleanliness and employee peace of mind.

Redesign the Layout

Since physical distancing has been the norm, employees may be hesitant to rush into the workplace. It may take some ingenuity to space out employees, but you can do so by rearranging your office layout.

If possible, leave at least six feet between desks. What if it's not possible? Partitions are a great way to divide your space. Maintaining distance between employees can also entail limiting the number of people in meetings or, for the time being, sticking to virtual platforms.

Provide Hybrid Work Options

Remember that going back to work does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Many businesses are embracing flexible work cultures as a new model. Employees in a hybrid setup can choose whether to come into the office or work from home depending on the day of the week. This reduces the number of people in the office while also allowing employees to transition to an in-person model at their own pace.

Not sure if a hybrid model would work for your business? Inquire with your employees. They've probably considered what kind of work environment would be most comfortable and productive for them.

Prioritize ventilation

While ventilation alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses, it can help to keep an office more sanitary. Before your employees return, there are a few things you can do to improve ventilation in your office.

First and foremost, make certain that your HVAC systems are clean and up to date. An HVAC professional can inspect your system and, if necessary, change the filters. Before ending remote work, it's also a good idea to schedule a duct cleaning. To keep the air in the office clean, consider using HEPA air filters.

Take a look at your sick leave policies

Even the cleanest offices can't protect themselves from the main virus spreader: people. Going to work with the sniffles was once commonplace. When employees stayed home with "just a cold," they often felt — or were made to feel — that they were shirking. The pandemic, on the other hand, has altered our perception of viruses. If one of your employees becomes ill at work, they may spread their illness to the rest of your team.

Your employees will be safer and more comfortable at work if you have a generous sick leave policy. If an employee is unwell, encourage them to stay at home. Employees can work from home if they have a cold but are otherwise healthy if you implement a hybrid work model. It's usually best to err on the side of caution when it comes to keeping a healthy workforce.

Client visits should be kept to a minimum

Consider keeping visitors to a minimum as employees return to the office. You might have clients or partners who want to come to your office. Nonetheless, as your team adjusts to in-person work, you'll probably want to keep these meetings virtual. Outside visitors may make it more difficult for your employees and leaders to keep the office clean and safe.

Put restrictions in place if certain client meetings must take place in person. For visiting clients and vendors, some businesses may require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. You can also require visitors to wear face coverings and keep a safe distance from you. Before moving to in-person work, ensure that these policies are in place.

Provide counselling for the mental well-being

While operational and logistical preparation is critical for the physical safety of individuals returning to work, their mental health must also be considered and prioritised.

The general worker state during these COVID-19 endeavoured times is, for the most part, loaded up with stress because of general dread of contracting COVID-19, youngsters requiring self-teaching, uncertain business circumstance, long disengagement, professional stability, pay cuts, or loss of pay because of loss of occupation of the accomplice, a relative being sick, and so forth.

It is advantageous for both you as an employer and the employee if the company invests in either providing free access to trained medical practitioners via telecalls/video calls, etc. as an emotional helpline or in developing ‘mental health programmes to address the employees' stress, insecurity, and uncertainty concerns.

Additionally, the company can provide benefits such as reimbursements for any wellness programme that the employee enrols in, such as an online yoga class or any paid workout apps.

Furthermore, the general anxiety about how the employment situation will develop, as well as dealing with issues of insecurity, wreaks havoc on one's mental health.

Utilize Health Screenings

Daily health exams were standard practice for organisations operating during the epidemic, and similar tools might be beneficial to your organisation as well. Schedule daily COVID-19 symptoms and temperature screenings, as well as other health vitals, for all employees before they enter the office. Keep an eye out for employees who come into the office without a proper mask.

Today's health screening systems make it easy to keep track of symptoms discreetly and efficiently, allowing you to send problematic employees home. Continued vigilance against the virus will prevent the reopening of your workplace from going off the tracks.

The COVID-19 epidemic taught several important lessons for today's workers. One of the most priceless? That your people are your most valuable asset. It's vital to keep your personnel healthy to keep your business running smoothly. The more you can do to make your return to work stress-free, the better.