Back to Office

Challenges & Blended work forces

As Organizations are gearing up to open offices, employees are trying to balance work from office & work from home.

With what world has seen and gone through in last couple of years, our way of life has changed drastically. Though we like to call it new normal, heart of hearts we now know there is nothing called normal! Adopt in adept way is the only way forward. In corporate world this is true for both Employers and Employees!

We all know, it was an overwhelming experience for employees, with some losing near and dear ones to some being Covid warriors for themselves or for their family members. A few more stretched their limits to balance work life!

Organizations are putting a plan in place to invite employees back to office, let us see some of the challenges they have to address.

Safety & Precaution

Safety of employees undoubtedly is the first and foremost priority at this point of time. Organizations have to take necessary precautions to ensure employees are maintaining Social Distancing while at work place. Even a gathering in small nos., can lead to higher chances of exposure & a probable higher risk of Covid spread.

Employee Reluctance

Some employees may be reluctant to get back to work immediately. For example, employee’s kids are young who can’t be left with care givers or do not have necessary support to take care of them. Some may be concerned about health of themselves or their family members. Undoubtedly there may be many who are eager to get back to office full time or part time.

Wellness & Mental Health

Do you agree, Change is the only Constant thing now?! With so much changing and blended working options, juggling between work and family responsibilities, everyone is going through stress. Even if employees are coming back to office, there is some amount of unavoidable stress, anxiety which may lead to long term ailments. This needs to be addressed with proper support & stress relieving exercises or workshops.

Re-Visit Old Policies & Processes

Some of the policies & processes before Covid era may not be relevant today. For example, today we can’t expect employees work mandatory 9-6 kind of shift.

Data Protection

As there will be blended & hybrid work culture, it is challenging to ensure company data is well protected. Safety measures needs to be put in place to ensure data protection.

Employers are taking necessary precautions to ensure employee health is on priority. Sanitization and hygiene are the core pillars, along with other activities which they should be addressing with equal care, like medical support for employees and their families, food at work place, seating arrangements etc…

So, apart from these, what can employer do to ensure employee experiences a smooth transition coming back to office?

Communication & Transparency

Communication with employees can build trust & security in employees and give the clarity on what is happening within the organization. Communication is to listen as much as sharing of information. Encourage employees to share their concerns. Take action & address them where necessary. Set expectations in a clear and transparent way. However all this needs to be addressed in a more sensitive way. Keep the communication open and transparent from both employer and employee side.

Prepare & Proceed

Apart from basic necessary preparations like, sanitization, social distancing precautions, medical facilities, re-visit policies and processes. They may need some changes considering current situations.

Equip Managers and Leaders

As blended and hybrid work cultures are here to stay, educate managers and leaders with virtual team management skills & necessary trainings required.

Health Care & Well Being

Encourage employees to focus on both their mental and physical health. Conduct workshops to create awareness.

Take it slow, in phased manner

Right from how people prefer to commute to work, to how they are going to operate at work place, everything changes for employees. So does for employer, who needs to be prepared and equipped for uncertain challenges ahead. It is good to take one step at a time, make one move at a time.

“Slow and steady wins the race!”, this is apt for current scenario. Corporate organizations not only have to be well equipped to open offices, but also be open to welcome hybrid working culture, Flexible work hours. Employees may prefer to work in a blended work style. Not necessarily all who opted for Work from home now will stick to this option few months down the lane or vice versa.