The Great Return-to-Office Debate
Written by: Rachael Thomas
Over the past year and a half, people have spent time creating a WFH routine and adjusting to all the rewards and challenges that came with it. Kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms became makeshift offices. Parents scrambled to juggle childcare and virtual school. Workouts and loads of laundry were squeezed in between Zoom meetings. And let’s be real, sh*t has been hard, but people have slowly but surely figured out a routine that works for them.
Now, companies are beginning to set return-to-office dates, and not everyone is jumping for joy. It’s probably no surprise that many folks prefer working from home. There’s more flexibility in their schedules, allowing for relaxing mornings and more me-time or quality time with family. Though the loneliness and isolation are a real concern, there is a bigger, valid fear of returning to the office: COVID-19.
A bigger problem
There’s an overarching concern for future in-person contact and the workplace is not immune. The American Psychological Association reported that 49% of Americans feel uneasy about interactions post-pandemic and vaccination status has no effect, as 48% of vaccinated Americans are also uncomfortable being in-person. Workers want their companies to implement hybrid setups, arguing that work that can be done remotely, should be. In fact, a June 2021 survey by The Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes found that 6.4% of U.S. workers said they would leave their jobs if asked to return to the office five days a week.
So, what can be done to relieve some stress?
If your job is preparing to have folks return to the office, there are things that both employers and employees should keep in mind.
For the employees:
Asking questions and planning ahead can help you mentally prepare for the return, according to psychiatrist Dr. Rachelle Scott in a piece for Business Insider. Below are some questions that Scott suggested people ask their employers:
What specific precautions has management taken in the lead up to returning to work?
Should workers expect desks to be the same as they were set up before?
What exact requirements will employees need to follow in order to enter the office (masks, vaccines, etc.)?
Another important question: If someone was exposed to COVID-19, what are the protocols for contact tracing and quarantining?
For the leaders:
In their article for Harvard Business Review, Constance Dierickx and Dorie Clark recommend some ways leaders can help employees navigate the transition:
Allow space for people to express their concerns. If that space isn’t provided, it creates fear of criticism amongst your workers.
Listen calmly and sincerely to your employees without attempting to fix everything.
Monitor and regulate your own emotions. The more you understand how your wellbeing affects your leadership and decisions the easier it is to prioritize time for yourself to rest.
Employers should have clear and concise guidance on what’s to come; overcommunication is better than leaving workers confused. And if you don’t have the answer to a particular concern, be honest, and consider what steps can be taken to address that issue.
The bottom line…
Working isn’t going to look the way it did before the pandemic — and shouldn’t. Everyone is figuring it out day by day including you, your boss and your organization.