For many employees the world over, making the transition back to the office after conquering remote working poses a unique set of challenges.
From the question of safety to the practicalities of once again travelling to and from work, the future appears ready to offer up a vision of the uncanny.
If you happen to be a passionate business owner, you will no doubt want to try your best to make this transition as smooth and as stress-free as possible for your employees.
A great way to do this is to focus on maintaining a happy, safe office environment that your employees will relish the chance to return to.
Safety First
Concerns regarding health and safety are quite rightly high on the agenda for many, so taking steps to ensure your office space is secure and functional is a great first step.
There are many ways in which you can do this but thinking about general cleanliness in the first instance can help you promote a hygienic and germ-free environment.
You might wish to consider installing extra hand sanitizers throughout the office, particularly in high-traffic areas or points of entry such as foyers and meeting rooms. Implementing a one-way system is also a good idea to make sure movement around the office is as safe as possible.
In terms of regular maintenance, hiring a dedicated and specialized cleaning service can help set your mind at ease. Often, the best options can provide advanced cleaning methods and possess the expert knowledge required to ensure the office stays looking spotless and germ-free.
Private Areas
Sometimes, work commitments can start to build up and quickly become overwhelming. Everyone has bad days and sometimes a little respite from the rest of the office is needed.
Introducing private areas for employees to use should they need to can be a great way to show your staff you recognize the value of their autonomy and that you trust in their ability to practice freedom and responsibility.
Installing private booths is a good way to do this, but if that is not financially viable or you do not have the space, allocating a meeting room for the same purpose might work to the same effect.
Choosing a space that is slightly out of the way can help account for the potentially sensitivity of the situation.
Indoor Plants
Getting hold of some indoor plants can be a great way to not only beautify the office space, but keep the air naturally cleaner.
This can help you sustain a hygienic working environment, while at the same time developing a modern, stylish office that employees are happy to be a part of.
Allow for Autonomy
Since many workers will undoubtably be feeling apprehensive about a return to the office, it is important to make sure you take their mental wellbeing into account.
This might mean allowing your workers a greater sense of autonomy. For example, if they feel unsafe travelling to work, you might want to think about allowing them to carry on working from home on particularly difficult days.
Veeramachineni Lalitha
I am Finance Content Writer. I write Personal Finance, banking, investment, and insurance related content for top clients including Kotak Mahindra Bank, Edelweiss, ICICI BANK and IDFC FIRST Bank. My experience details : Linkedin