As employees gradually return to the office after months of working from home, some might struggle to adjust to these new working arrangements. You could be one of them. Feelings of stress or anxiety might develop, or you could experience an overwhelming sense of fear as the date for returning to work approaches. While these sensations are perfectly normal, they could prevent you from doing your job. Here are some tips for transitioning out of the home and into the workplace again.
1. Talk to Your Employer
Some of your colleagues might be eager to return to work after months at home. Others might struggle with the sudden change of scene. One of the biggest shifts for employees will be re-adjusting to the social aspects of the workplace. Finding yourself in an office full of people after working alone at home might trigger feelings of anxiety. Again, these feelings are normal, but you must share your concerns with your employer.
Send your boss an email before you return to work and explain your feelings. Any organization with a welcoming company culture wants you to feel safe and comfortable when you return to work. Ask your boss to provide you with resources that support your mental health.
2. Ask Your Employer About the Hybrid Working Model
Hybrid working has become popular since the pandemic. Consider asking your organization about implementing this model into its business continuity plan. This location-flexible working arrangement combines at-home and at-office work depending on your job responsibilities. You might prefer to work from home a few days a week and spend the other days in the office. Or spend most of your time at home and visit the office when there’s a meeting or other event that requires face-to-face communication.
Your employer will have the final say on hybrid working. But you can at least inquire about this alternative arrangement if you have become accustomed to — and enjoy working from — home. Temporarily extending your time at home might ease your fears about returning to the office in the future, giving you more time to prepare for any changes.
3. Encourage a Better Work-Life Balance in the Office
One benefit for many employees who have been working from home has been a better work-life balance. With no commute and additional downtime, you might have discovered a new passion or inspiration or spent more time with the people you love. Some people have relished taking their children to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. Others have spent their spare time learning new skills and developing their careers.
Talk to your employer about supporting a better work-life balance for all employees. There are various ways your organization can implement such changes:
- Offering flexible work patterns
- Reviewing workloads
- Delegating heavy workloads to other team members
- Increasing support for parents
- Providing mental health resources for all employees
- Giving employees time off to explore their passions
Another way your employer can promote a better work-life balance is by implementing frequent breaks during the day. This provides employees with time to recharge their batteries and improve their mental health. Creating designated relaxation and breakout spaces in the office, perhaps with gym equipment or comfortable sofas, could also increase productivity at work by reducing stress and burnout. Home of Cozy has a wide range of furniture guides and reviews so employers can find the best seating options for these spaces.
Organizations rarely make changes until employees suggest them. So talk to your employer about promoting work-life balance. You could start the ball rolling and help create a better company culture for everyone.
4. Reach Out to Human Resources
Talk to human resources about your fear of going back to work. Many teams have mental health awareness training and should provide you with resources to help you cope with your return to the office. These resources might include mental health checklists or guides for coping with challenging situations in the workplace.
Some HR teams might even put you in touch with a mental health professional who can find the root cause of your anxiety and help you master coping mechanisms for returning to work, such as mindfulness and breathing techniques.
Final Word
Transitioning from work at home to work in the office might sound daunting. But you can raise your concerns with your employer. Tell your organization about your fears, suggest alternative working arrangements, and encourage a better work-life balance. Seek mental health support to make your return to the workplace a more comfortable one.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
