Continue focusing on overall well-being
Invest in your mental as well as physical health, as both of these directly impact productivity.
Ira Gilani, Director, Goldratt India shares, “The key is to focus on setting a healthy routine as you go back to work. Ensure that you get adequate sleep and make a conscious effort to eat healthy and exercise once you start regular work hours at the office. Though it may sound cliched, having a sound body and mind is essential to bringing your A-game at work.”
Seek employer support too when you need it - working women should not hesitate to talk freely to their superiors on what they need in order to excel at work.
Reduce anxiety by thinking ahead
It’s important to plan childcare and eldercare arrangements in advance for a smoother transition in going back to the office. In the last year or so, since everyone has been at home, this change will take some time to get acclimated to.
Aditi Mathur, Director, American Express opines, “It takes a village to raise a child, so planning the right day-care/support system for days when you are in the office will be critical towards stress-free productivity at work.”
Keep in mind that despite the best planning, there will always be unexpected events - here is where a hybrid model could help you adapt even better.
Exercise flexibility in work arrangements
Maintain a disciplined work schedule but at the same time exercise flexibility. Flexibility will perhaps now shift from location to time. While remote work became a norm, people will also benefit greatly from having more flexibility in when they work.
Gartner’s 2020 Reimagine Employee Survey revealed that “Organizations that offer employees flexibility over when, where and how much they work, see 55% of their workforce as high performers as opposed to only 36% at organizations with a standard 40-hour workweek.”
Ira further adds, “If you are finding it difficult to adjust to the new routine and have some flexibility, exercise the option to work remotely as and when required. Do not hesitate in asking for help from your supervisor, peers or friends”.
Make an extra effort to connect with colleagues
Simple as it may sound, one of the best ways to make the transition smoother is by finding ways to make it better for others. Strike up conversations that create a sense of light-heartedness among your colleagues. Be especially mindful of those colleagues who are still working from home. Show them sensitivity by taking extra steps to make sure they feel connected and included.
Maintaining frequent two-way communication is more important now than ever. Create opportunities for manager-employee one-on-ones and other formal and informal channels to allow employees to express concerns freely. Be open to various communication channels to make it easy for them to ask questions and raise concerns regarding return and safety.
Aditi adds, “It is important to block off time once a month for yourself - to recharge, get pampered, take a break to reflect on what’s working & what isn't, so you don't burn out. When in the office, make sure you schedule in-person connects with your team and key stakeholders preserving the 'human' element of work relationships.“
Absorb lockdown successes into your best practices
COVID-19 lockdowns have forced workplaces and workforces to adapt and evolve. However, this has also brought about many highly productive behaviors and workarounds that can be absorbed into everyday best practices, as employees return to more traditional working environments. For example, many virtual tools were suddenly deployed during the crisis and can be used more routinely even during ‘normal’ business conditions.
