Re-Entry To Work Post Covid-19: Tips For Employee Wellbeing

Jun 25, 2020 | 0 comments

Over the coming months, staff will be tentatively swapping their slippers for shoes as they head back into offices and workplaces. While this re-entry to work post-covid-19 is welcome news, business leaders and managers need to sensitively and carefully manage the process. The virus remains a threat. Workers feel a sense of trepidation and nervousness at the thought of venturing out of lockdown. And increased demands are imposed upon employers to ensure the workplace is safe for everyone.

Here are some tips to help you manage employee wellbeing and ensure your internal communications are spot-on during this difficult time as companies return to the physical workplace.

Stagger The Return Of Employees 

Staff welfare and minimizing the health risks are, of course, top priorities. And large numbers of employees returning at once presents a significant health risk. Employees will understandably be concerned about contracting and spreading the virus. 

A recent survey cited in Fortune reported that employees’ main fear about returning to the office is their co-workers’ behavior. Thirty-seven percent of respondents said they were concerned “others in my office will behave in a way that puts me in danger.” The same survey reported commuters using public transit are more hesitant to return to work. Just 34 social distancing at workpercent of public transit commuters said they were ‘very likely to return to work’ when offices reopen, compared with 48 percent of non-transit commuters.

One way to manage staff trepidation and reduce the risks is by planning a staggered reintroduction to work. The experience of lockdown remote working has confirmed it’s unnecessary to have everyone in the office, all of the time. In fact, most have managed to create a virtual digital workplace and maintain operations and productivity with a distributed team of home workers.

A staggered return makes it easier to manage the requirement for social distancing, plus the increased cleaning and disinfecting requirements. 

Some teams will need to come back early to prepare the way for others. Facilities management will be responsible for the new physically-distanced desk spaces and sanitizing all equipment. HR and Internal Communications teams are also likely to come back earlier to ensure staff wellbeing is front and central. Beyond that, you will need to decide how best to phase in the return, so staff are available to cover all essential services. Those employees not in the office on any given day simply remain working from home

Continue With Remote Working

Some employees are more vulnerable than others, and a return to work may pose risk. Others may have family members who are unwell, and some may be struggling with childcare issues. Furthermore, there will be a portion of the workforce who prefer working from home and would like to continue. 

Companies must address the welfare needs of all staff members and continue with the option of home working and flexible arrangements. The possibility of further waves of the virus along with rolling lockdowns remains high. Staff will find it easier to adapt if they are already accustomed to mixed patterns of home and office working.

Develop And Communicate New Workplace Protocols

The pandemic has disrupted much of what we took for granted in the workplace. Limits on social gatherings mean that team meetings are probably a no-go. Increased hygiene practices need to be incorporated into employee routines.

Hot desking and sharing office equipment are no longer acceptable. Even the handshake greeting is off-limits. As companies prepare for re-entry to work post Covid-19 staff need to know in advance what the expectations are. And more importantly, they need to be reassured that you are taking all the necessary precautions to keep them safe.

Use all organizational communications channels, including the office intranet and staff newsletter, to get the message out there. Develop an internal communications campaign, leading with your intranet’s home page as your billboard. Follow up with reminder notifications and alerts sent at high-risk times e.g. before and after lunch. 

At a minimum, develop hygiene protocols, provide hand sanitizer, and, if appropriate, personal protective equipment. Discourage visitors to the office and where that’s unavoidable implement contact tracing procedures. Be sure to implement social distancing between individual desks and shared spaces like cafeterias.

Restrict team meetings, instead use alternatives like video conferencing apps. As well as thoroughly cleaning all company laptops, it’s also worthwhile carrying out an IT security check. While home working, employees may well have downloaded software or video games that could compromise office systems. 

And if you are struggling to keep on top of all the changing requirements, check out the following guidance. These federal bodies are regularly updating their guidelines in response to the evolving environment:

Furthermore, keep a watchful eye out for industry-specific guidance from representatives or governing bodies. 

Ramp Up Your Communications Efforts

No doubt, you have been communicating more regularly with staff during the lockdown. As a nervous workforce contemplates a return to work, it’s time to focus even further on your communications. Plus, staggering the return requires you to have social tools to connect HQ staff with those who are still telecommuting.

Regular communication will keep staff informed of what’s happening. And it will also provide reassurance. Use a variety of communication channels that will reach home workers as well as workplace-based teams. And be sure to include two-way communication channels. Employees will have plenty of questions and concerns that you will need to address. A company blog or forum allows staff to engage with managers and raise common issues. 

Fake news, misinformation, and rumors have run rampant on social media throughout the pandemic. As staff return to work, they must have access to real-time updates from a trusted company source.

Take an employee pulse check with a staff survey. Use it to find out what employees are really feeling and what support they need to return to work. An employee survey will help you to focus your communication efforts on what’s important to staff.

Focus On Rebuilding Employee Morale

It will take time and effort to get the company culture and staff morale up to pre-Covid levels. The many weeks in lockdown will make the adjustment to working again painful for some employees. Some staff may have lost family members or colleagues to the virus. There will be other team members who are unable to return for a variety of reasons. For some, this may have been the first time they have encountered mental health issues.

You will need to handle the situation sensitively. Business leaders need to acknowledge employees’ concerns and show empathy. Use positive language in your communications wherever possible. There’s enough doom and gloom in the media, so look to celebrate every company achievement and take a small step forward.

Encouraging employee-to-employee communication as an outlet is vital in this context. If you use instant messaging, why not set up a #channel such as #returntowork. Employees can use it to voice their concerns, share insights or solutions, and reconnect with colleagues informally. Social distancing makes it harder to enjoy those water cooler conversations with co-workers. Just as #channels supported a sense of community during the lockdown, so too will they help with the return to work.

And when the time is right, and the regulations allow, look to bring staff together in social events. It could be team outings and activities, or a shared pizza and a few drinks after work. The return to normalcy will be worth celebrating.

Promote Employee Wellness Initiatives 

If you haven’t already got an employee wellness initiative in place, consider setting one up now. The return to work will see employees’ stress and anxiety levels increase. Looking after their mental health and wellbeing will be more relevant than ever.

Company running groups or shared yoga classes may be off the agenda for a while, but there’s still lots you can do. Promoting mindfulness, breathing, or meditation techniques is one way to encourage staff wellness. In addition, highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity. Start a group chat where staff can share their favorite online exercise tutorials or home workouts. Getting outside and enjoying nature can make a big difference to mental wellbeing. Invite staff to share favorite local walks or photos of scenery and landscapes they have experienced. Encourage employees to look out for their colleagues and check that they are OK.

And if any employees are struggling, make sure they have access to local helplines or services that can help. The World Health Organization has published guidance materials to help people through the experience.  

It makes good business sense to look after the health and wellbeing of your employers. And when it comes to managing the return to work, it’s what every responsible employer should be doing. Your staff will feel better supported and able to navigate the new ways of working. And you will also be developing a more agile and resilient workforce. 

Review Your Processes And Learn From The Experience

Depending on local conditions, this whole process of returning to work may take several weeks or even months. The changes Covid-19 has unleashed in the workplace are still unfolding but are likely to have long-term consequences. The new normal may well be very different from what you previously experienced. 

When all of this is over, it’s essential to review what has happened, and how your business responded. From home working, communications platforms, and cross-team collaboration through to returning to work, there will be valuable lessons to learn.

Although we all hope that the coronavirus pandemic can be brought under control, we may still see second or subsequent waves. To futureproof your business, you need to be prepared and ready to face the challenges. Take the time now to review what’s worked well and what needs to be improved. 

Have An Open Door

Our final tip is to make sure you have an open door. Managers should know their staff well. Encourage leaders to develop an understanding of the individual circumstances of their team members. Financial hardship, strained living situations, and increased anxiety may be just some of the extra pressures burdening staff. 

Every staff member has a unique situation and set of needs. Knowledge and awareness of those needs are essential to managing the return to work successfully.  

Therefore, keep an open door so employees feel as though they can come to you with their concerns. Take the time to ensure staff feel supported and comfortable with what’s happening. And try to be proactive in your response to issues raised. 

Undoubtedly, transitioning back into work will be challenging for staff and managers alike. Use the tips we have identified here to start planning now for a successful return to work. 

Intranet Software To Help Staff Re-Enter Work Post Covid-19 

MyHub provides all-in-one intranet software that can help your business adapt to the new normal. Packed full of useful tools, features, and modules, MyHub’s intranet makes internal communications and team collaboration easy. With set up complete in just a few days, MyHub’s intranet can reunite your staff with everyone and everything in one safe, secure place while driving home important employee wellbeing messages.

Get in touch today for a free demo or a 14-day no-obligation trial

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