The lifting of restrictions signaled the reopening of offices across the country. Many businesses started requiring their employees to work on-site. Life started to go back to normal even though cases started to rise due to new virus variants.
With this, businesses should make sure they prepare the office properly to ensure the health and safety of their employees. In addition, businesses should also avoid some mistakes when they reopen their offices. Here are some mistakes they should avoid.
Miscommunication
The business should make sure to avoid miscommunication when they reopen the office. Managers should make sure the employees know when they are supposed to report for work in the office. They should also make sure to inform the employees about the protocols they should follow while working on-site. These protocols aim to reduce the risk of infection and ensure the employees remain productive while working in the office.
The business should also inform the employees of what they should expect when they report for work. Ensuring the employees are updated will make the transition to on-site work easier and reassure them that they are safe in the office.
No Preparation
Managers should also prepare for the reopening of the office. This means they should make sure that the workplace furniture and equipment are ready for the employees. Without these fixtures and equipment, productivity and efficiency will suffer.
Since the office was not used for over a year, it may be necessary to ensure the fixtures and equipment are ready for the employees to use. Everything should also be in order and, if necessary, the business should acquire new equipment if the existing ones are unusable.
The business should also have health and safety protocols in place. They can use the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the basis for the protocols. Additionally, the business should establish rules and expectations before requiring employees to report for work in the office.
Implement Unplanned Changes
Businesses should avoid implementing unplanned or last-minute changes. While businesses can expect changes in their procedures once they reopen, they should plan these changes properly. They should also implement minimal changes to avoid confusing the employees. If the authorities do not require the changes, the business should look at its advantages and disadvantages before implementing them. The main point here is to avoid overwhelming the employees with a lot of changes in the office.
Back to Normal Attitude
The pandemic caused a lot of changes in the way people live and work. The unprecedented event resulted in a new normal in the workplace. People have to take precautions to avoid getting infected. So, it’s not a good idea for managers to assume that everything has gone back to normal.
If the managers think that everything is back to normal, it may affect the employees’ productivity. This is particularly true if it results in an infection that can spread throughout the workplace. Managers should take the lead in ensuring everyone’s safety. The manager should also accept that everything has changed. This acceptance will allow them to face any challenges they may encounter once everyone starts working in the office again.
Not Accepting Feedback
Even though the business followed CDC guidelines, it should still ask for feedback from its employees about the new setup. The employees may have some ideas that can facilitate workflow while keeping them safe in the office. It can also help improve office dynamics and keep the employees engaged. Additionally, the employees will feel valued by the business, which motivates them to work harder and become productive while at the office.
Focusing on a Few Departments
Preparing for reopening means the business should make sure all the departments are ready once the employees report for work in the office. They should not focus on a few departments when checking the fixtures and equipment or developing new procedures for the employees to follow. This will only result in confusion and resentment from other employees. The business should also ask for feedback from the other departments so that it can make the necessary changes to prevent issues in the future.
Not Focusing on Long-term Solutions
Businesses formulate long-term solutions before they reopen. These solutions should take into account the possibility that the virus will continue to affect the country in the coming years. This will allow the business to become sustainable and keep its employees motivated to work. Additionally, it will help the business keep its customer base and allow it to grow over the years.
When businesses plan to reopen, they should avoid making mistakes to ensure the productivity and efficiency of their employees.
Meta title: Avoiding Significant Mistakes When Reopening the Workplace
meta desc: Businesses have required employees to work on-site as the situation improves. Know the mistakes they should avoid when reopening during a pandemic.
