Remote work has been on the rise in recent years as more and more employers see the benefits of allowing employees to work from home. However, with the spread of COVID-19, many companies now have to ask their remote workers to come back on site. This can be a difficult adjustment for those who have never worked on-site before. Even those who have worked on-site before may find it difficult to readjust to working in an office after months of working from home.
As an employer, it’s essential to understand the challenges that your employees may be facing as they transition into working on-site. Here are a few tips that you can use to help make this adjustment smoother:
Encourage communication
One of the most complex parts of working on-site is not being able to pop into your co-worker’s office for a quick chat. Ensure to encourage open communication among your employees, whether through regular check-ins, group meetings, or even just casual conversations in the break room. This will help to keep your employees connected and feeling supported.
Once they get to know each other better, they’ll be more comfortable working together on-site. As a result, they’ll be able to focus more on their work and less on the transition process.
Give them an inviting space.
Many employees may feel overwhelmed by their new environment, primarily if they previously worked from home in a quiet and distraction-free environment. To help them adjust, it’s essential to give them some time and space to get used to their surroundings.
In addition, ensure to provide a clean environment. Perhaps it would be better to hire professional cleaning services such as commercial carpet cleaning to ensure that the office is clean and inviting for employees.
Be understanding
Remember that this is a big adjustment for your employees, and they may need some time to get used to working on-site again. Be patient and understanding as they transition back into the workplace. If possible, try to be flexible with their hours or work schedule to ease into their new routine. Your employees will be back on track in due time, and your business can start to thrive once again.
Ensure that they have the proper equipment and resources
Many remote workers are accustomed to working from home, where they can set up their own office space however they like. Unfortunately, this is not always possible at an on-site workplace.
As an employer, it’s crucial to provide your employees with the proper equipment and resources to do their job. This includes a comfortable chair, a spacious desk, and access to a printer or scanner. By ensuring that your employees have everything they need, you can help them feel more comfortable and motivated to work on-site.
Help them create a routine.
Working from home can be great because you have the flexibility to create your schedule. But when you’re working on-site, it’s crucial to have a set routine. This will help employees feel more focused and productive.
Encourage your employees to arrive at the office simultaneously each day, take regular breaks, and leave at a set time. This will help them create a healthy work-life balance and adjust to their new working environment.
Ask for suggestions
Don’t forget to ask your employees for suggestions on making the transition smoother. They may have some great ideas that you haven’t thought of. You can create a positive and productive work environment for everyone by working together. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your employees will adjust to working on-site again.
Encourage socializing outside of work hours.
Getting to know your coworkers outside of the office can help make the transition smoother. Whether it’s grabbing lunch together or going for after-work drinks, taking the time to socialize will help everyone feel more comfortable with each other.
But of course, it would be better if you joined them. You can also invite your employees to join you in the recreational sports leagues so they will have a lot of fun.
Be flexible
Some employees may struggle more than others to adjust to working on-site again. If possible, try to be flexible with their hours or work schedule. This will help them ease into their new routine and make the transition smoother.
A final word
Working on-site can be a big adjustment for employees, but you can help make the transition smoother with these tips. Encourage communication, give them an inviting space, understand, and ensure that they have the proper equipment and resources. You can also help them create a routine and ask for suggestions from them to continue improving your on-site work environment. With these tips in mind, you can help your employees adjust to working on-site again after COVID-19.
