Everyone agrees that the world has certainly changed in the last year and a half.

Now that the lockdowns have been lifted, many people are worried about going back to work out in the real world.

As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your employees are safe and healthy when it comes to being in a brick-and-mortar workplace. Helping your workers make the transition back to physically being in the workplace is just as important as it was to help them make the transition to working at home.

How to Help Your Employees Return to Workplace After COVID-19

Here are a few tips to help you do just that.

Be Understanding of the Situation

Just as you’re probably nervous to be around a bunch of people after being locked down for so long, your employees are probably feeling the same way. Being at home has become the new normal, so returning to the workplace is going to be quite an adjustment.

Being understanding of their fears, concerns, and hesitance will go a long way towards helping your employees ease back into their work week, and will show them how much you care at the same time.

Consider a Hybrid Workplace

A hybrid office is a popular solution now that the lockdowns have been lifted. They are especially helpful when transitioning your employees back to working full time.

However, many companies have decided that working from home a few days a week and working in the office a few is the way to go, even once the pandemic is over.

You need to weigh the pros and cons, however, to determine if this is the right choice for you and the employees you’ve hired. While this approach doesn’t work for everyone, it’s certainly something to think about.

Follow All Government Guidelines

It’s important to follow all government guidelines when it comes to allowing your employees to return to work.

From social distancing to hand sanitizer and taking temperatures before the workday begins, following these guidelines can calm your employees and keep them from getting sick at the same time.

It’s essential to follow the guidelines in your state regarding vaccinated and unvaccinated employees as well, so check into this before you reopen.

Keep Your Employees Informed

There are going to change. From social distancing to having bottles of hand sanitizer on desks, you’re going to need to keep your employees informed of any new restrictions or regulations.

It’s important to be clear about what you expect from your employees, and for them to know how you plan to enforce the new guidelines that have been put into place.

Look Out for One Another’s Health

Encourage your employees to look out for one another’s health. This means staying home if they don’t feel well, quarantining if they are exposed, and checking temperatures daily.

If you and your employees look out for each other, then the transition to the physical workplace should be easier for everyone concerned.

Stay Fit and Don’t Stress

Encourage your employees not to stress over what they can’t control. If coming back to the workplace is too stressful for any of them, let them work from home if that’s possible.

It’s also a good idea to encourage your workers to eat healthily and stay fit, as both of these will boost their immune systems, and yours as well.

COVID-19 knocked everyone for a loop, but the new normal is looking good. Encourage your employees, be on the lookout, and enjoy being able to be with coworkers in the workplace once again.