The term ‘return to work’ is a phrase that’s on everyone’s minds right now. With most countries declaring their first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic over, and a potential second wave on its way, both employers and employers are eager to start thinking about how ‘going back to normal’ is going to be.
It’s a tricky situation to think about, the likes of which the human race has never had to deal with before, which is why careful planning and a mindful perspective on the matter is essential from everyone involved.
Today, we’re going to explore what you need to know when it comes to planning your return to work, all so everyone involved can remain safe and healthy, and with minimal chances of mistakes being made.
Return to Work Tip: Consider Screening Capabilities
In countries around the world, COVID-19 screening and testing capabilities are improving dramatically, which means it’s not yet been easy to get hold of a test. With this in mind, if you want to return to work safely, ensuring everyone in the office has been tested can almost guarantee that you’ll be safe.
This may happen in a staggered effect, so you may want to introduce people back to work slowly as they get tested, and keep them distanced from people who haven’t, maybe not inviting people back until they have.
Promote Social Distancing
While people are coming back into work, you must maintain social distancing rules. The recommendation is 2m, but of course, this isn’t always possible, so you’ll need to find a way that works for you.
For example, you could introduce a shift pattern where some people come in one day, and other people come in the next, and then this shift pattern rolls throughout the week. This means fewer people in the office, and the easy it is to maintain distance.
This needs to be coupled with remote working (but more on this below). Make sure you’re keeping all your teams connected and communication open via video conferencing and instant messaging.
Return to work Tip: Be Understanding with Everyone
There are going to be people within your business who are at high-risk of COVID-19 (underlying health conditions, etc.) or are living with people who have, such as elderly relatives or children. When this is the case, you need to make sure you understand these people’s needs.
If they don’t want to come back to work because they don’t want to risk catching it, you need to respect this and find alternative ways of working that work for everybody. At the end of the day, compromises may need to be made.
Implement Remote Working
If you haven’t already, always try to think of a way you can implement remote working into your day. If this means going into the office to pick up supplies and files on a shift pattern, as we discussed above, and then taking them home to work on them, then so be it.
Leaders need to think about ways they can also make the remote working experience better for everyone. What software or technology can be used? Is an acceptable level of communication being upheld? If there are problems, can they be quickly and openly addressed by everyone involved?
Get Everyone on the Same Page
When it comes to a business’s return to work plan, it’s essential that both employers, team leaders, managers, and employees, are all working together to decide what’s best. The manager can’t come in and say okay, this is what we’re doing now because this is an unprecedented time and what works for one person, might not work for another.
Compromises need to be made
That being said, you need to make sure everyone is kept abreast of the most up-to-date guidelines and procedures on how to deal with COVID-19, what the symptoms are, and how to reduce it’s spread.
If someone in the business contracts symptoms, they need to make sure they know to stay home, rather than thinking okay, we’re all back to work now, so everything is back to normal. This is how the pandemic will spread into a second wave. Make sure your staff are educated and are making the right, safest decisions.
Organize Your Phases for the Return to Work
Most businesses and organizations will be planning their return to work process in phases, and it’s highly recommended you do the same. This means not just saying ‘everything is back to normal now’, but rather having a phase one, which could be remote working or shift patterns and then building on this process.
It would help if you created guidelines on each phase that when each guideline has been met, you can then move onto the next stage. Of course, these phases need to align with the law and distancing requirements, which are subject to change at any time.
Summary:
Return to Work Tips
How to Get Ready to Go Back to Work in a Safe Way: It’s a tricky situation to think about, the likes of which the human race has never had to deal with before, which is why careful planning and a mindful perspective on the matter is essential from everyone involved. Consider Screening Capabilities. In countries around the world, COVID-19 screening and testing capabilities are improving dramatically, which means it’s not yet been easy to get hold of a test. Promote Social Distancing. While people are coming back into work, you must maintain social distancing rules. The recommendation is 2m, but of course, this isn’t always possible, so you’ll need to find a way that works for you. Be Understanding with Everyone. There are going to be people within your business who are at high-risk of COVID-19 (underlying health conditions, etc.) or are living with people who have, such as elderly relatives or children. When this is the case, you need to make sure you understand these people’s needs. Implement Remote Working. If you haven’t already, always try to think of a way you can implement remote working into your day. Get Everyone on the Same Page. When it comes to a business’s return to work plan, it’s essential that both employers, team leaders, managers, and employees, are all working together to decide what’s best. Compromises need to be made. Organize Your Phases for the Return to Work. Most businesses and organizations will be planning their return to work process in phases, and it’s highly recommended you do the same.
