How to Prepare to Go Back to the Office After the Pandemic
Without a doubt 2020 has been a tough, crazy, and unpredictable year. Many people have spent months working from home or off work completely. As things begin to slowly get back to normal, businesses are starting to welcome their employees back into the office. However, after working from home for the majority of 2020 it can be hard to get back into the rhythm of commuting to work and working from the office.
Don't let yourself be caught off guard and start preparing from now to go back into the office. Check out these tips that can help you prepare and facilitate the transition:
1. Develop A Morning Routine
One of the best ways to smoothly transition back into the office is by preparing mentally. This means waking up early and getting ready for work even if you're not heading to the office just yet. Set an alarm, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, have your morning coffee, and do anything else you used to do to get ready for a day in the office. Getting back into that mindset of waking up to go to work will make it easier on you when you actually have to go.
Getting back into the office mindset also means eating lunch around the same time you used to at the office and setting up your workspace. The important thing is that you begin and end your day as you would on a typical workday. Something important to keep in mind is that you will most likely be required to wear a mask at the office. So while you're practicing at home, make sure to wear your mask so you don't struggle with it once at the office.
2. Learn Your Risks
Since you'll be spending time around people you may be feeling a bit hesitant to go back to the office. The best thing you can do is pretty much what you've been doing during quarantine, wear your mask and wash your hands. These are the easiest things you can do in order to lessen the spread of the virus. Keeping a distance is also very important.
If you suffer from any conditions that classify you as high-risk, try speaking with your manager or your superior and see if they can keep you in a more secluded area. There may also be additional precautions that can be put in place in order to keep everyone safe and ease the anxiety of those who are uneasy about being back at the office.
3. Prepare Yourself For A Digital Workplace
In-person meetings with clients and business partners will most likely be off the table. This means no more going out to lunch meetings or visiting others at their office. Therefore, the majority of your meetings will be held virtually.
If your office has a large meeting room, then it's possible that you'll be allowed to hold an in-person presentation with your colleagues. However, try to keep this space to a minimum and if it's not absolutely necessary to do it in person, then try to keep it digital.
4. Invest In Your Own Personal Kit
If you want to be extra safe, consider buying all the appropriate things to keep you safe and clean. Make your own safety kit with sanitizing wipes, antibacterial, extra masks, tissues, and gloves. This is not absolutely necessary but it's good to be prepared with at least a bottle of antibacterial, especially since you'll be touching a lot of things throughout the day.
5. Avoid Large Crowds While Commuting
If you have to take the bus or subway in order to get to work it is likely that you have to be very close to other people. Not to mention you also have to touch rails and sit in places where thousands or other people have been. If possible, try to find a spot in the bus or subway where there isn't a bunch of people crowded together. This can be hard to avoid so remember to wash your hands as soon as you're off and never take your mask off.
You can also consider alternative methods of transportation like walking or cycling to work, if possible of course. This will not only help you stay away from the large crowds but it'll also add to your fitness regime. You can also incorporate both by cutting public transportation short and walking the rest of the way if you can.