Reengagement of the Workforce Post-Pandemic

“Post-Pandemic.”  A term we have all likely heard more than a few times recently.  But what does it mean?  Does it indicate that there is an end in sight?  While we cannot pinpoint when the pandemic will be fully behind us, we have already begun to shift towards a path to recovery.  Lockdown orders have been lifted, businesses have reopened, and many offices are preparing to welcome their workforce back.  But as organizations begin to emerge from the crisis phase, they may face challenges in returning to “business as usual.”  Therefore, it is crucial for leaders to ensure that they position their employees and consultants for successful reengagement at work, whether returning from a furlough or returning to the office after months of remote work.

Back to Work?

Let’s face it: “back to work” will not likely mean “back to normal”.  Challenges may arise as your organization or team begins to return to work.  Be sure to consider the following:

• A return to the office, or to work in general, is a significant lifestyle shift after many have become accustomed to new routines brought about by the pandemic.  

• It can take time to acclimate being back at work and to effectively adjust to schedules, deadlines, priorities, and expectations.

• Morale may be down due to the challenging circumstances we have all faced— feelings of uncertainty and stress may be higher than usual.

• The crisis has likely affected each of your team members differently; some may be eager to return to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible while others are more reluctant to transition back to a pre-pandemic environment.

How Can We Adapt?

Although the circumstances of this year have been less than ideal for business, it is critical to adapt accordingly to ensure continued success.  If your employees or consultants are beginning to return to the office or return from furlough, there are steps that can be taken to help foster a smooth transition throughout the recovery process:

• Keep employees’ mental health in mind during this period of recovery and adjust expectations and workloads accordingly, as stress affects each of us differently.

• Engage in open dialogue with your team members to determine how you can support them and help them adjust during these bizarre times.  

• Offer flexible schedules to suit the needs of employees caring for children or family members, as family and schooling situations may have changed over the course of the pandemic.

• Consider offering a hybrid model of remote work and in-office work to help team members gradually readjust to their return to work.

• Work with your team to set new goals and outline new performance expectations for projects moving forward, particularly if employees are just now returning to work after several months of furlough and need some ramp-up time.

• Ensure the continued safety and health of your team—workspaces and meeting rooms may need to be adjusted accordingly to allow for proper social distancing measures!

Looking Ahead

If we have learned anything about ourselves and our organizations throughout this pandemic, it is that we are resilient.  We have all been forced to adjust to the challenges of a crisis that was thrown our way, and while we are not out of the woods yet, many of us are beginning to look to the future.  As we gradually begin to return to some semblance of normalcy, it is important to be patient and empathetic towards ourselves and others.  Try some of our tips for successfully re-engaging your workforce to hit the ground running in a post-pandemic world.  Feel free to share some ideas of your own as well!