Return to Office Tips for 2024

Even though the past year has been stressful, the time at home has provided an opportunity to recharge and prepare for what happens next. For employees preparing to leave their makeshift work areas at home, the adjustment of going back to the office can be a challenge.

Here are some tips for making the transition back to the office easier on your employees. 

Tips for Returning to the Office

Some people appreciated the break from traveling back and forth to work. Waiting five minutes to take a left when you’re in a hurry is never fun. Others enjoyed making lunch at home and putting their feet up while they worked. Yes, they had to hunker down for months with the same people, but at least they were safe and still employed.

Now the tide has turned and many employers are looking to get their employees back into the office. This transition is easier said than done, and for some, it can be stressful.

Employers should do what they can to help mentally prepare their workers for the return to the office. Here are three tips to help your workforce adjust back to office life.

Be Empathetic to Returning Workers

Employees who have not been to the office in a while may very likely struggle to stay energized and engaged at the office. Working from home gave the world more time to recharge their social and work batteries, and having to go back to an early-morning and after-work commute can add a lot of stress to the mind and body.

Employers should consider giving workers an extra break here or there, and have patience as workers adjust to office life once again. It can also help to start off with a hybrid work model, bringing employees back in 2 to 3 times a week before going fully in-office.

In today's modern workforce, this is essential in order to build a positive and ethical workplace culture.

Set S.M.A.R.T Goals, Remind Workers of Core Goals, and Aim for Small Wins to Start

S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, a common goal creation strategy for many businesses, and a great choice for employees returning to the office. 

By helping employees set S.M.A.R.T goals for themselves upon returning to the office, workers can begin to rack up quick and easy wins, building morale and comfortability away from their home workspace. These can be anything from work-related goals to more work-life balance-related achievements. 

Additionally, remind workers of the core company goals they should be working toward, and try to depict how being back in-office with colleagues will help them to continue to work toward those goals. 

Utilize Modern Human Capital Management (HCM) Software to Streamline Processes and Give Employees a Pleasant Experience

A modern HCM software platform, such as Freedom HCM, businesses can provide a more streamlined and pleasant experience for all levels of their organization. For instance, modern scheduling software can help implement flexible work schedules, which can provide much better work-life balance. 

Things such as employee self-service capabilities for HR-related tasks, mobile app access, and personalized dashboards for important employee information can help workers cut down on time-consuming tasks that take away attention from working toward their work goals. 

Get Help with Workforce Management

Getting employees to come back to the office is no easy task, and helping them adjust can be even tougher. 

To learn more about how Trivantus is helping businesses manage their workforce, or to learn more about our HCM software, contact us today.