Tips For Returning To The Office

There is always a start where we as the company need to understand employees and executives. 

What do I mean by that? 

1. Understanding their concerns and questions 
2. Understanding what is challenging after the pandemic
3. Understanding what brings more productivity to you and them 

These are three core areas of understanding that employees and executives will be looking for. Also, with that being said the company always plans ahead to maintain productivity and the cycle keeps going. 

Tips to maintain and have a smooth transition for returning to the office since many employees are facing challenges and problems. We have learned to plan which companies will have a return to work letter and flexible return to office plan. 

These are specific plans that the company executes to increase quite a lot of aspects of their working habits and environment. These aspects increase employees' productivity and collaboration. 

Productivity and collaboration have slightly decreased after the pandemic and the continuous remote and hybrid work model.

If you would like to know about the trends and statistics, here are some recommendations by Litespace: 

1. Uncovering Return to Office Trends & Statistics
2. 2023 Return to Office Stats - Key to Know

Now Tips For Return To Office 

1. Building A New Routine 

A new routine within the workplace or work environment will develop a certain level of change and look for adaptability from employees. As we all mastered jumping on ZOOM meetings on time. 

“This shift back to the office gives you the chance to set your boundaries in terms of availability, communication, and when and where you work.” - TedTalk

Make sure to develop a new routine that brings more from you and helps you become more productive. On their own, you should be able to feel comfortable and have a stable calendar that supports you in becoming healthy. 

2. Why does Setting Boundaries Help?

Setting Boundaries helps people feel better rather than becoming exhausted at work. Many employees have been self-sufficient after the pandemic. There are applications to support employees during their time off. Some prefer to communicate through Slack and Asana. This helps them to have a sense of control. 

Not only does it impact how they manage their time and prioritize their work. Also, this has helped employees mentally have a healthier understanding and communicate too.    

3. Plan To Take Care Of Your Mental Health 

As mental health is vital after what employees have gone through during the pandemic. The pandemic has a significant effect on each individual. Now has capabilities for change and adapting to new work environments. 

Employees have now experienced this development through COVID-19 and are now open to supporting their working environment and people. Mental Health has gotten the spotlight so employers, and executives can show their support to their employees. 

There several ways to approach this to understand employees that are: 

1. Plan thoroughly before approaching employees directly 
2. Think Positively to understand what they are going through 
3. Have several wellness events to give your employees a break 

4. Develop Learning & Career Planning Programs

As we have experienced, we teach and develop ways for unforeseen events such as the pandemic as our prime example. Technology is one of the main concerns and one of the top skills.

Having to know the employees in top corporations and several startups provides mentorship and beginner-level learning with software and application tools. Always plan and emphasize to keep learning because this shows companies how much they can advance and spend on employees. 

Here are examples of how companies have developed ways to implement this: 

1. Course Oriented Learning 
2. Field Learning 
3. Collaborative Learning 

All these groups have their own style of learning and grasping information. 

It's All About The Transition 

We have made progress when it comes to change and understanding new ways to support employees. The transition everyone and companies are looking for is to become resourceful and knowledgeable to increase their average collaboration and productivity. Technology and Artificial Intelligence are a trend and changing every day. 

To have a smooth and adaptable transition for the workplace whether they are following remote or hybrid work models. Here are resources recommended by Litespace: 

Step 1: Do a Return to Office Survey ( Here is an RTO Survey Template)  

Step 2: Plan Return to Office Letter 

Step 3: Make sure employees understand the “WHY” (that can include statistics and trends) 

Step 4: Emphasize on Return to Office Plan 

Step 5: FINAL - Make sure to develop return-to-office strategies to showcase benefits and incentives