Tips for Returning to Office

12 Tips for Returning to Office Post Pandemic 

With a drop in the number of covid cases, and more & more people getting vaccinated, employees are asked to transition back to the onsite work, resulting in anxiety and discomfort for them.

As per a survey by Harvard Business School and Future Forum by Slack, a large portion of the population is not willing to return to the office after covid full-time. According to a Live Career survey, 29% of employees are ready to leave their jobs if their companies do not allow them to work from home. The rest 62 % say they will prefer employers who offer remote work opportunities for future positions.

A poll conducted by Flexjob says – Nearly 6 in 10 workers would look for a new job if forced to work from the office full time.

After working from home for nearly two years, returning to the office after covid seems daunting and would require some adjustments for employees. keeping in mind their apprehensions & stress, here are ten tips for employees returning to the office post-pandemic.

1. Ask Questions

Companies are exploring range of policies for returning to the office after covid. Share your queries with your employer. Check about safety measures they are taking, about parking spaces and lockers. The more information you have, the more comfortable you would feel in returning to the office.

2. Update Your Wardrobe

After two years of working from home, your work wardrobe needs an update. As clothes boost our confidence, it’s time to give your wardrobe a makeover. Try on your existing professional clothes to see if they fit you. If not, go shopping and buy new pieces, this will also help you in fighting the back-to-office blues. 

3. Re-establish a Routine

Get set to re-establish a routine. For the past many months, employees have not been following any professional dress code while working from home. But now it’s time to re-establish the old routine. Iron your formal clothes a night before to avoid last-minute stress. Wake up early, and spend some time in meditation. It will keep you charged throughout the day. And avoid the rush hour traffic by reaching the office a bit early. 

4. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule

If you have gotten into the habit of sleeping late, it’s time to change this habit. Get back to your pre-pandemic schedule & start sleeping early to wake up in time. Set your alarm for waking up early so that you have enough time to get ready for the office.

5. Switch off your Phone at Bedtime

If you sleep at 10 PM, switch off your phone an hour in advance, keep it on silent mode or keep it away from the bed. The temptation to watch content one after the other can keep you awake for hours. Blue light from the phone is harmful to your eyes and can also result in the loss of sleep. Sleep deprivation can cause memory issues, poor concentration drains your mental abilities, and puts your health at risk.

6. Continue Wearing Masks

Do not discard your masks just because corona cases have gone done. Prevention is necessary. Wear masks when in the crowd to avoid getting infected. It is an important safety measure to follow when returning to the office after covid 19. 

7. Continue Washing Hands

Wash your hands often to avoid transmission of germs from your hands to your mouth, eyes, or nose. This will not only protect you from bacteria and viruses but will also keep you healthy and safe. 

8. Sanitize your Workstation

Clean your desk and area around your workstation. You can use alcohol wipes or disinfectants to kill the viruses on surfaces. It is essential tip to follow when returning to the office after covid.

9. Avoid Crowds

Continue to maintain physical distance and avoid large crowds. Be extra cautious if you have small kids at home or family members who are not fully vaccinated. Avoid risks by taking necessary precautions.

10. Reset your Boundaries

Working from home had blurred the boundaries between work and home with employees multi-tasking and eating lunch while continuing to work on laptops. Now it’s time to reset boundaries and bring balance in life. Work whole-heartedly while at the office, and relax once you are back. 

11. Consider Caregiving Responsibilities

For the last two years, women have been managing work and home, taking care of children and aging elders. Now, when it’s time to return to the office, they will have to arrange for daycare centers and creches. Make sure you have a reliable and safe place to leave your dear ones securely before you start working from the office full time.  

12. Make Arrangement for Pets

A report by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says – Nearly 1 in 5 households adopted a pet during the pandemic. As pets provided them companionship during challenging times. Now, when it’s time to return to the office, families need help with pet care during the day. Start looking out for the pet service providers and finalize the services as soon as possible.

Following these tips will help you to adjust to the new routine and would help you comfortably return to the office after covid 19 pandemic. 

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